The Gratitude Charity Auction offered a one-off opportunity to show your gratitude to NHS Staff and all key workers and become the proud owner of one (or more) of the stunning Gratitude sculptures while raising money for our beneficiary charity NHS Charities Together (registered charity number 1186569) which supports the NHS, including its hospitals, ambulance services, community and mental healthcare providers and vital partnerships.
The online auction has now closed. If you are successful bidder, the team will be in contact with you to arrange payment and delivery of your sculpture.
Thank you for your support!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When is the auction?
The Gratitude Auction has now closed.
Q. What size is the Gratitude sculpture?
The sculpture measures approximately 1900mm tall. The body is 420mm wide and 230mm deep. The circular base is 600mm diameter.
There is also one mini sculpture – ‘Sadness isn’t a Lifestyle, created by Thomas Wolski – which measures 30cm tall by 9.5cm wide.
Q. What are the Gratitude sculptures made of?
The sculptures are made from a mixture of class II fire retardant laminating resin and chopped roving fibreglass over an initial brushed-on layer of gel coat.
Q. Is every sculpture unique?
Yes, the sculpture was created specially for Gratitude and each one has been created by a professional artist.
Q. How do I bid online?
You will need to create an online bidding account with Wild in Art and register for the Gratitude auction. Once your registration is approved you will receive an email notification and you can start to place your bids.
Have a look through the auction lots and choose the sculptures that you would like to bid on. Click into each lot to find out more about the design inspiration and the artist.
To place a bid, just type in your bid amount and click on ‘Bid Now’ button. You will then need to click to confirm your bid. You can increase your bid at any time.
Bidding will close at 9pm on 21 October 2021 with lots closing at 1 minute intervals. Every lot has a published end time, displayed alongside the lot, so don’t forget to keep an eye on the bidding. For lots on which any bidding activity takes place in the last minute before the end time, the end time will extend by 2 minutes and continue to do so to allow all bidders the chance to bid again, should they wish to. This ‘sliding end time’ is to prevent rival bidders outbidding each other with seconds to go before the end time.
If you want to ensure that you get your sculpture, you can click the ‘Buy Now’ button to buy the sculpture. This will ensure that the sculpture is yours and will remove it from the bidding process.
For some sculptures, you may also be able to make an offer for the sculpture. To do this you will need to type in your offer and click the ‘Make Offer’ button (if available). A member of the Gratitude team will then get in touch with you to discuss your offer.
Q. Will I pay VAT or commission on top of the hammer price?
The auction is a fundraising event for NHS Charities Together. There will be no VAT added to the auction value of each sculpture. The hammer price you pay will be exempt of VAT and so if you are paying through a company please note that VAT cannot be reclaimed on the purchase price.
Q. Is my successful bid gift aid-able?
No, it is not gift aid-able.
Q. How much will the sculptures be sold for?
There is no way of knowing how much each sculpture will achieve. However, if you are saving up for a sculpture, based on previous similar trails, we expect (and hope) them to sell for £4,000 and upwards.
Q. If I’m successful, how will I pay for my sculpture?
When the auction closes or if you choose the ‘Buy Now’ option, NHS Charities Together will raise an invoice for each lot. This will be sent to the successful bidder by email. The invoice will show the Hammer Price to be to be paid, and identify the Lot purchased. It will also include payment instructions.
Q. If I’m successful, how will I get my sculpture home?
The Buyer is responsible for organising delivery or collection of their purchase and Lots must be collected within 7 days of the funds for the full purchase price clearing unless otherwise agreed in writing with Wild in Art.
Wild in Art can arrange delivery of your sculpture to UK mainland locations at a cost of £175 plus VAT per sculpture – please email us at gratitude@wildnart.co.uk for more information.
If you wish to collect your sculpture you must contact Wild in Art by email at gratitude@wildnart.co.uk giving details of
(1) The name of the individual or company collecting the artwork – and agree a form of identification
(2) The proposed date and time of collection – please note that this is a limited service and restricted dates and times
Wild in Art will then agree a date for the collection and send the Buyer details of the address and collection time. All collections are at the new Buyers’ risk.
If sculptures are not collected within 7 days of the funds clearing, the buyer will be responsible for paying a daily storage cost of £250 per day from the 8th day after NHS Charities Together has received the full purchase price in cleared funds.
If you have questions about shipping, collection or storage, please email gratitude@wildnart.co.uk
Q. Will my sculpture be insured?
All lots are covered by Wild in Art/NHS Charities Together insurance until your payment has cleared. Once payment is cleared our insurance will cease and you will become the owner of the sculpture and therefore responsible for any insurance cover.
Q. Which charity will benefit from the auction proceeds?
Proceeds from the Gratitude auction will go to NHS Charities Together (registered charity number 1186569) which supports the NHS, including its hospitals, ambulance services, community and mental healthcare providers and vital partnerships.
Q. Can I buy a blank Gratitude sculpture?
Blank Gratitude sculptures are not currently available to buy. This is to protect the value of the sculptures that will be auctioned to help raise funds for NHS Charities Together.