Hull's Mischief Of Rats Art Trail Raise a Huge Donation for the Daisy Appeal Charity

Hull’s “A Mischief of Rats” art trail raised £160,000 for the Daisy Appeal charity. The public project generated huge community awareness for the cause. After the trail concluded, the unique rat sculptures were sold to the highest bidders at a glittering charity auction, contributing the majority of the final donation.

Remember spotting those colourful and quirky rat sculptures dotted all over Hull and East Yorkshire? It turns out they weren’t just there to make people smile. The team behind the wildly popular public art trails has officially wrapped up its final project, going out with a massive bang. On 16 Dec 2025, they handed over a cheque for an incredible £160,000 to the Daisy Appeal charity, all thanks to the A Mischief of Rats art trail.

It’s a huge sum of money that will make a real difference, but for the organisers, it’s a “bittersweet” moment as they bring this chapter of amazing community projects to a close.

A bittersweet goodbye to Hull's favourite sculptures

For years, the streets of Hull and the surrounding area have been turned into open-air galleries. First, there were the Larkin Toads, then the stunning ‘A Moth for Amy’, and who could forget the Puffins Galore! trail? Each one brought a splash of colour and a buzz of excitement. The masterminds behind these brilliant projects, co-directors Rick Welton and Clare Huby, have created something special with these public art trails. Their final venture, A Mischief of Rats, which celebrated the life of Hull’s own music legend Mick Ronson, proved to be the most successful yet.

Handing over the final donation at The Jack Brignall Centre at Castle Hill Hospital was the perfect end to their journey. Rick Welton spoke about the real joy the projects brought. “We’ve been privileged to see how these trails have brought colour, conversation and community spirit to our region,” he said. “Knowing that A Mischief of Rats, which celebrated the life of Hull’s Mick Ronson, has raised such a phenomenal amount for the Daisy Appeal makes this the perfect note to end on.” It was clearly a joy to work on these projects, and that feeling spread throughout the community. Rick added, “It’s been a joy to work with so many artists, sponsors and volunteers over the years, this donation belongs to everyone who joined the fun.” This final art trail truly captured the spirit of teamwork, with artists, sponsors, and volunteers all playing a part.

More than just a bit of fun

It’s easy to think of these trails as just a bit of fun, a great way to get the family out for a walk and find some cool sculptures. But they were always about something much bigger. The engagement they created was off the charts. People didn’t just look; they got involved, shared photos, and talked about the art. This created a huge wave of public awareness for the chosen charity. After the trail ended, a glittering charity auction saw the unique rat sculptures sold off to the highest bidders, contributing a huge chunk to the final donation amount.

Professor Nick Stafford, the chair of the Daisy Appeal, explained just how important this was. “This donation of £160,000 takes us a huge step closer to our £3m target for a new scanner at Castle Hill Hospital, improving diagnosis and treatment for patients across East Yorkshire,” he said. “But beyond the money, A Mischief of Rats has been an outstanding awareness-raising campaign.” He noted that the project introduced thousands of new people to the charity’s work. “The excitement and engagement it has generated have introduced thousands more people to the work of the Daisy Appeal, and we are deeply grateful to Rick, Clare and the whole team behind the project.” It shows how art can bring people together and shine a light on vital causes, creating a lasting impact far beyond the sculptures themselves.

What is the Daisy Appeal all about?

So, what exactly does this fantastic charity do? The Daisy Appeal is all about giving patients in East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire the best possible chance when facing serious illnesses. The charity funds state-of-the-art equipment and medical research to help doctors with the early and accurate diagnosis of conditions like cancer, heart disease, and dementia. Getting an accurate diagnosis as quickly as possible is one of the most important steps in treating any illness effectively.

The main goal right now is to raise £3m for a brand-new digital PET-CT scanner. That might sound a bit technical, but think of it like a super-powered body camera. A PET-CT scanner can spot tiny signs of diseases like cancer long before they might show up on other types of scans. This means doctors can find problems earlier and start treatment sooner, which can save lives. This equipment is crucial for the hospital, and the donation from A Mischief of Rats is a massive step towards getting it. Clare Huby, co-director of the art trail, summed up the project's success: “The public response to A Mischief of Rats has been overwhelming, the enthusiasm, engagement and generosity from people across Hull and the East Riding have been incredible. It’s fantastic to see not only the funds raised for the Daisy Appeal, but also the awareness the project has generated for their vital work.”

A massive boost for patients in East Yorkshire

This £160,000 donation isn’t just a number on a cheque; it represents real hope for so many patients. The new scanner that the Daisy Appeal is fundraising for will be a game-changer for the local hospital. It's a modular digital upgrade that will bring a whole host of benefits, directly helping people, including children, across the region.

What will the new scanner actually do?

• Double the Scans: It will almost double the number of scans the hospital can perform each year, meaning less waiting time for patients needing a diagnosis.
• Advanced Screening: It will allow for screening for specific conditions, such as lung cancer, helping to catch it at an earlier, more treatable stage.
• Safer for Everyone: The new technology is much safer, especially for children and potentially pregnant women, as it significantly reduces the amount of radiation exposure.
• Quicker Appointments: Scan times will also be shorter, which makes the whole experience less stressful for patients.

Clare Huby felt it was the perfect conclusion to their series of public art trails. “From the toads and moths to the puffins, and now the rats, each project has celebrated local creativity while supporting wonderful causes,” she said. “It feels right that we end on such a positive high, helping move the Daisy Appeal closer to its £3m target.” This incredible project shows what a community can achieve when it comes together with creativity, generosity, and a shared sense of joy.