The event on Thursday was the culmination of The Grand Appeal’s ‘Gromit Unleashed 3’ summer trail, which saw the decorated statues displayed across the city.

The funds will benefit Bristol Children’s Hospital and the neonatal intensive care unit at St Michael’s Hospital. Bidders from around the world competed to own a piece of Bristol’s cultural history, with lots including 1.5-metre tall Gromits, Wallace-adorned benches, and statues of the villainous Feathers McGraw, BBC reports

Highlights of the auction, hosted by Sotheby’s Europe, included ‘Darth McGraw’, which sold for £70,000, and ‘Bobby Dazzler’, which fetched £65,000. A framed painting titled ‘Feathers with the Pearl Earring’ also sold for £60,000.

Many sculptures were collaborations with high-profile artists and brands, including a ‘Yellow Submarine’ Gromit signed by Sir Paul McCartney, ‘Gromit Woody’ created with Pixar, and ‘Love Actually’ in partnership with screenwriter Richard Curtis. An authenticated print of Banksy’s ‘Toxic Mary’, gifted by a benefactor, added another £19,000 to the total.

The partnership between The Grand Appeal and Aardman, the creators of Wallace & Gromit, has generated over £90m for the hospital since 1995.