The fund-raising legacy of Norwich's GoGoGorillas! troop of apes has received a boost from the proceeds of the playing cards made in honour of the arty primates.
The celebration decks of cards were created by the EDP and Evening News, and after being snapped up by GoGoGorillas! fans they have raised £4,500 for the project, which is supporting Break and the Born Free Foundation.
Each of the 54 adult ape sculptures in the trail across Norwich had their own playing card in the deck and, after the first edition of cards proved a hit, a special gold edition was also printed.
The money raised is in addition to the impressive £272,300 raised when the gorillas went under the hammer in October at an auction hosted by Break patron Jake Humphrey and run by auctioneer Mike Sarson of TW Gaze at the Forum in Norwich.
Break's GoGoGorillas! project manager, Martin Green, said: 'From the start the playing cards were an inspirational move from the EDP and Evening News, and the cards just showed the appetite for GoGoGorillas! merchandise. For us to be able to create the cards with the EDP and Evening News was brilliant. They were an amazing addition to the trail and really helped to promote GoGoGorillas!
'The money raised will go directly to the services that we provide.'
Nigel Pickover, editor of the EDP and Evening News, said: 'Norwich's troop of GoGoGorillas! were one of the great stories of Norwich's summer and we were delighted to celebrate the gorillas' success by producing some souvenir playing cards.
'We are thrilled they have raised £4,500 for two great causes – Break and the Born Free Foundation.'
The GoGoGorillas! project was organised by children's charity Break and Wild in Art.
The money raised will help Break change the lives of young people in need and also help the Born Free Foundation help real-life gorillas in Africa.
About 50 packs of GoGoGorillas! playing cards are still available and cost £7. A limited number of GoGoGorilla auction guides are available and cost £3. To buy the playing cards or auction guides call Break on 01603 670100 or email martin.green@break-charity.org. For more about Break visit www.break-charity.org
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