Big Hoot owls fly the nest and raise more than £500,000
BIRMINGHAM’s Big Hoot owls have been auctioned off and have raised £530,000 for charity – the bulk of it for the city’s Children’s Hospital.
Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne sent a good luck message as the auction took place at Millennium Point.
Out of the 89 owls which have ‘lived’ in the city during the summer, 83 were sold on the hospital’s behalf and two raised money for other charities. One anonymous bidder bought 13 owls.
The sum raised puts the hospital new Star Appeal on the road towards its £3.65m target.
The TARDIS-like Dr Whoot went for £10,500 while the Sutton Coldfield Owl, illustrated with town scenes by 18-year-old student Scarlett Byfield sold for £6,535 thanks to a local crowdfunding bid.
As expected, Ozzy’s Owl, designed by Ozzy Osbourne, proved popular amongst bidders and fetched £12,500.
The Big Hoot was the idea of creative producers Wild In Art in partnership with Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
All but three owls were designed to sit on concrete plinths so they could be seen outdoors 24 hours per day in ten districts throughout Birmingham.
They captured the public’s imagination, with children completing owl trails across the city.
