A FUN charity arts project launched in 2017 by former Haslemere mayor Brian Howard is on track to raise more than £150,000 for good causes.

It all started in 2017 with Haslemere Hogs – a limited edition of 60 life-sized fibreglass pigs in search of sponsors, volunteer artists to jazz them up, and the chance to auction them for charity.

The hogs were a big hit, both with sponsors and schools thrilled by the creative opportunities.

Buoyed by the public support, 2018 saw the launch of an equally successful limited edition of more than 100 Haslemere Hares.

This year, it was Haslemere Hounds – a pack of more than 100 canines decorated in a ‘pawsome’ range of quirky styles, as the mass exhibition at Haslemere Museum vividly demonstrated.

Star-studded support includes Stephen Fry, Julie Walters, Alan Titchmarsh, bionic girl Tilly Lockey and darts champion Scotty ‘Dog’ Mitchell.

Waverley mayor Mary Foryszewski was special guest at the ‘grand finale’ auction of 16 top dogs plus some glitzy donated lots, at Lythe Hill Hotel on October 23.

Announcing the auction had raised an impressive £8,000, Mr Howard said: “This year we have been able to support over 60 different charities many of them small and local for whom even a few hundred pounds makes a massive difference.

“We should now have raised £150,000 for charities over the three years, which is really good. Important though that money is, the most important thing is the community engagement and the fun it generates.”

The word is that 2020 could be the Year of the Hen – more details to be released later.*Scotty Dog created by darts champ Scot Mitchell will be raffled at Haslemere Comrades Club on December 16. A few tickets are left, please call Mark on 01428 651973.The BDO 2015 World Darts Champion also dropped into the club recently for an evening of exhibition darts and matches against local league players. 19 year old Sam Harris received a signed dartboard surround from Scott for running the Dorsetshire man close.