NEIGHBOURS are clubbing together to raise enough money to buy a Snowdog.

Residents in Hanover, Brighton, launched a crowdfunding campaign in the hope of becoming the permanent owners of one of the decorated sculptures.

They need to raise £5,000 to hit their fundraising target in order to submit a competitive bid at the auction on Tuesday.

So far, more than £1,000 has been raised and they are calling on more people to donate before the campaign ends tomorrow.

All the Snowdogs will be auctioned to raise funds for The Martlets hospice, based in Hove, after the two-month public art trail ended on Sunday.

Ruth Farnell, of Queen’s Park Road, fell in love with the trail and asked a Hanover community group what they thought of bidding to buy a Snowdog to keep permanently.

She said: “This has been such a wonderful trail and it has brought a lot of people together.

“I thought it would be great if we could keep one of the Snowdogs in Hanover permanently and others I spoke to thought it was a great idea.

“It is also a fantastic local charity which is close to our hearts. I’ve been sent so many pictures of people, young and old, enjoying the sculptures. Setting up the campaign has already been great – I’ve received help from people I’ve never met.”

When donating, members of the public have a chance to vote for the Snowdog they would like the group to bid for.

Ms Farnell said: “We’ve had to avoid the dogs who we think could be completely out of our price range as we want our bid to be successful.

“If we don’t meet the target, we get to donate a good amount of money to The Martlets – it’s win, win for anyone donating.

“My particular favourites are Winter Lily, which was in Queen’s Park, and Bobby [that was located near the i360] who was designed by Katherine Griffin – a Hanover artist.”

The group has asked Brighton and Hove City Council for advice on where they could place the Snowdog and is inviting suggestions.

Ms Farnell added: “We’ve not decided on a location yet, we are just focussing on raising the money first.

“We need to take part in the open bid in order for it to be fair.”

A similar campaign to keep Marty the Snowdog, designed by artist David Halliwell, in Hove Park, was launched but is believed to have fallen through.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hanover-snowdog.

HOW TO SEE THE SNOWDOGS ONE LAST TIME

YOUR last chance to see the Snowdogs and the Snowpuppies is fast approaching. 

The pack will reunite at Brighton Dome Corn Exchange, Church Street, on Sunday and Monday so fans can say goodbye before they are sold at auction on Tuesday. 

Spaces are sold out on Sunday but there is still availability for Monday. Call 01273 709709 for tickets, which cost £5 for adults and £3 for children. 

To register an interest for the auction, email hello@snowdogsbythesea.co.uk. Tickets to attend the auction cost £20.