Lightning Fibre successfully bids for Spots and Bolts at the Hook a Duck charity auction.

Summer 2022 saw 30 large duck sculptures appear in nesting sites across Hastings and Rother. Created by Wild in Art for St Michael's Hospice, Follow That Duck positioned the ducks at nesting sites from Hastings Old Town, through St. Leonard's on Sea, to Bexhill promenade.

From Friday 24th June the fun, free, family-friendly event created a unique art gallery of fabulous creativity and inspiration within our local communities. The ducks were rounded up in early September, cleaned and restored ready for auction.

Local AltNet Lightning Fibre sponsored 'Spots and Bolts' located on Bexhill Promenade, Wooden Shelter. The artist was 'DLR'. Dave’s style is inspired by Robert Crumb and Keith Haring, and psychedelic vegetables. DLR has created his own language – vibrant, bold and technicolour which blows away the sepia cobwebs. His designs have "a soft and cute edge, but with hidden perceptions taking the viewer on a neon trip to the seaside". Dave has always had a love of cartoons and inflatable seaside toys, so applying his artwork to a giant duck is ideal.

Rob Reaks, Head of Sales and Marketing at Lightning Fibre commented, "Sponsoring a duck has been great for raising our local profile, as well as creating an employee and community engagement opportunity. It's been great to play our part in the economic, cultural and social recovery of Hastings and Rother."

On Friday 7th October the large Rubber Duck sculptures were the stars of the 'Hook a Duck Auction' raising funds for St Michael’s Hospice. The Auction was run by well known local auctioneer, Kevin Wall from Rye Auction Galleries Ltd who took to the podium to ensure that each and every Duck found a new and permanent nesting site. Bidders were in the room at The Atrium, East Sussex Coast College as well as online.

Lightning Fibre CFO Michael Postle said, "Our whole team fell in love with Spots and Bolts, and we're delighted to have been successful at the auction. The Sculpture will now nest at our new Eastbourne HQ on Moy Avenue, for everyone to enjoy."

The auction raised over £75,000 for St Michael's Hospice.

"The Hook a Duck Auction was quite the egg-straordinary evening – it was lovely to see so many of our sponsors in the room, some even tucking their Ducks under their wing to take home with them!  All credit to Kevin and Jo at Rye Auction Galleries Ltd for including a variety of bidders – in the room, on line and on the telephone!" Perdita Perdita Chamberlain, Income Generation Director.

Photo: Wild In Art Managing Direct and Co-Founder Charlie Langhorne and Senior Project Manager Sarah Harvey with Lightning Fibre CFO Michael Postle and Head of Sales and Marketing, Rob Reaks, with Spots and Bolts at the Hook a Duck Auction, 7th October at East Sussex College.

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