We are very grateful to Dan Savage and the Vangarde Shopping Park for generously donating the proceeds raised from the sale of Dan’s newt sculptures to Froglife. This donation will go towards our core programmes such as ‘Toads on Roads’ which is otherwise unfunded, so this provides vital support to our charity and the amphibians and reptiles that we work to protect.
Dan, local York artist has raised more than £800 for us by selling some of the stainless steel newts he originally created for Vangarde Shopping Park.
The steel newts sold were previously seen around Vangarde and have now been replaced after a redesign to ensure their long-term sustainability. Some of the old newts have also been donated to the gardens of Hamilton House in Holgate, which is a service hub for children across York.
Dan said: “I am delighted people have been generous and donated towards such a worthy cause to conserve and protect amphibians and reptiles.
“The newts have been very popular since the opening of the shopping park and the people who have donated now have a piece of Vangarde memorabilia as well.”
The steel newts have been a popular fixture at Vangarde since it opened in April 2014. More than 300 stainless steel newts are currently dotted around the park to pay homage to the 300 Great Crested newts which used to populate the site.
Vangarde Shopping Park Centre Manager Deb O’Donnell said: “We are delighted to have been involved in raising money for Froglife, it is a charity which reflects the ethos of the shopping park to conserve and protect its local wildlife populations.
“It is pleasing to see the steel newts previously seen here used to raise money towards such worthy causes, as well as putting smiles on children’s faces.”
If you are interested to find out how you could support our work please click here
