Stockport’s Frogtastic Invention Frogs Hop Off to Auction
18 gigantic, brightly coloured Stockport frogs, each vibrant design created and painted by a local artist to depict one of the world’s greatest inventions, are poised to leap off to new homes, raising much needed funds for local charities and good causes.
15 of the Stockport frogs, forming part of this summer’s Frogtastic Inventions Trail, have hopped off their cogs ready to go under the auctioneer’s hammer while three have already secured their new home and monies for their charities ahead of the auction.
Managed by Stockport-based Simon Charles Auctioneers, the online auction is now open and live until 2nd November when the hammer will come down on final bids. Each frog, perched on its cog, can be viewed on the website, where lucky bidders will have the chance to own or a piece of Stockport’s history and a unique piece of art.
Since 2017, the team behind Stockport’s Business Improvement District, Totally Stockport, have hosted family-orientated events in the town centre to attract visitors and encourage greater footfall in support of its business community. The frog art trails have proved to be enormously successful in attracting sustained visitor numbers from all across the UK over the summer period. Together, the 2019 and 2021 trails raised over £60,000 for Stepping Hill Hospital’s Tree House Children’s unit and for St Ann’s Hospice in Heald Green.
A full list of the Frogtastic Inventions Trail Frogs, ready to be snapped up by new owners, can be found on the Simon Charles website – https://simoncharles-auctioneers.co.uk/auctions/10424/frogtastic-inventions-trail-charity-auction
This year, the auction proceeds of each frog has been assigned to a different charity, helping even more communities benefit from this summer’s frog art trail, the last planned to be held in Stockport town centre.
Charities to benefit from the proceeds of the auction include:
| Name | Invention | Charity |
| DJ | The iPod | Seashell |
| Orville | Flying | AutiSK |
| Spoke | Wheel | Beacon Counselling |
| Gugli | Radio Communications | Chelwood Food Bank |
| Zippy | The Zip | Beechwood Cancer Care |
| Ringo | Telephone | Diabetes UK |
| Needles | Vaccines | Stockport MIND |
| Bones | X_ray | Stockport County Community Trust |
| Gizmo | Gizmatron | Cherry Tree Project |
| Slinky | The Slinky | Helep for Heroes |
| Colin da Frog | Calendar | St Ann’s Hospice |
| Eliza | Artificial Intelligence | Signpost for Carers |
| Heidi | Printing Press | Smart Works GM |
| Fredison | Light Bulb | NHS Charity |
| PC | PC | Stockport Without Abuse |
Frogs sold ahead of the auction:
Minty, representing Money, sponsored by Moorcroft Group in aid of Walthew House
Poppy, representing Space Travel, sponsored by Europlanters in aid of The Wellspring
Please dig deep to support a local charity and take advantage of a one-off opportunity to secure a unique frog for your home or for your business.
Full details of the frog auction can also be found on the Totally Stockport website.
