Charles Hanson to run Big Hop auction

TV personality Charles Hanson is set to auction off six-foot hare sculpures currently on display across the north of Scotland to raise vital funds for charity Clan Cancer Support. 

The Big Hop Trail's creations will go under the hammer on Monday, September 18, following a Farewell Weekend which will allow the public a final opportunity to see all 92 sculptures featured in the project.  

Charles Hanson said: “I am delighted to be involved in The Big Hop Trail. With more of us affected by cancer, and living with it for longer, the project is a great way to enable people to make a difference to the lives of those impacted.  
 
“I look forward to my visit to Aberdeen in September and hope that along with the individuals and businesses from the communities involved in the trail, we can raise a huge amount for Clan Cancer Support to allow the charity to continue delivering its lifeline services.” 

Bids start at £3,000

Charles will be joined by radio personality Claire Stevenson who will be hosting the event which is expected to draw an audience of more than 400 people, with more bidders joining online. 

Both the Auction and the Farewell Weekend events will take place at Aberdeen’s Music Hall. 
 
Interested bidders can also view all auction lots and make an expression of interest or submit a bid by checking out the online auction catalogue. 
 
Sales of the items - which include 40 large and five small individually designed hare sculptures will help raise vital funds for the charity, with bids starting at £3,000 per design. 

Response has been 'fantastic'

Teresa Bremner, Clan Cancer Support’s sculpture trail project manager, said: “We are so excited to have Charles on board for The Big Hop Trail auction. Not only is he an accomplished auctioneer, he’s also an incredible charity ambassador and is committed to ensuring the event will raise as much money as possible for Clan.  
 
“The response to the hares has been fantastic and we still have some time to enjoy them while they’re out in the wild. We anticipate the Farewell Weekend and Auction events will be popular and would encourage people to buy their tickets now to secure their opportunity to see these much-loved sculptures before they are relocated to their new homes.”  
 
The Big Hop Trail, sponsored by Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, is being delivered by Clan Cancer Support which delivers practical and emotional support to anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis. 
 
The project showcases 40 six-foot hare sculptures displayed across a public art trail measuring more than 550 miles in the north of the country, showcasing locations from Stonehaven, Aberdeen to Lerwick, Shetland.