CLAN Cancer Support

Art expert and TV personality Natasha Raskin Sharp will lead the auction and put all 37 BookBench sculptures under the hammer on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Whether you’re an interested buyer, avid trailgoer or simply want to see the hammer price – we’ve got everything you need to know about The BookBench Trail Auction.

What is The BookBench Trail?

Sponsored by Bilfinger and Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and delivered by charity Clan Cancer Support, The BookBench Trail featured 41 large BookBench sculptures displayed across a 500-mile route from Stonehaven, Aberdeen to Lerwick, Shetland during the summer. 

Clan chose the 1.4 metre wide BookBench sculpture, which depicts an open book, because of its lifeline listening support service which enables anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis to open up and tell their story. 

Artists across the UK were invited to submit designs for consideration with each sculpture individually designed.

They were then placed at locations across the trail for the public to enjoy for a eight-week period over the summer.

When and where is the Auction?

The BookBench Trail Auction is being held at The Chester Hotel, Aberdeen on Wednesday, October 8.

Can anyone go to the Auction?

Yes! You don’t need to be buying a BookBench sculpture in order to attend the auction event. Members of the public are very welcome to buy tickets to attend the event in person.

How can I buy a BookBench sculpture?

You can view our online auction catalogue and see every sculpture due to be sold. All interested buyers must complete a registration form. You can then choose to either attend the auction in person and raise your paddle at The Chester, or you can securely place a bid using our online bidding platform. The auctioneer will have access to this online system during the live auction, so online bidders have the opportunity to bid against those in the room with all sales being finalised on the night.

What if I can’t make it there on the night?

Buyers who can’t make it there on the night are encouraged to register to use our online bidding platform.

Spectators and trail fans who want to see all the action can watch the auction via a livestream link which will broadcast the entire event from 6.30pm on Wednesday, October 8.

You can also follow The BookBench Trail on Facebook and Instagram for live reports of every sale from 6.30pm on the night.

What happens after The BookBench Auction?

After the auction, all proceeds will go to Clan Cancer Support to enable the charity to provide emotional and physical support to people impacted by a cancer diagnosis across the north-east, Morary, Okney and Shetland.

Clan’s previous trail projects Light the North (2021) and The Big Hop Trail (2023) have raised a combined total of more than £520,000 for Clan services.