LIKE all good stories, the Sitting With Jane project has had its happy ending after 18 months of work.

The project which has worked to put Basingstoke on the Jane Austen map, culminated in a celebratory charity auction of the BookBenches on Friday, 15 September.

Twenty-two BookBench lots were sold for a total of £95,750 – and 75 per cent of the proceeds will go to Ark Cancer Centre Charity, leaving a lasting legacy that will help and support cancer patients and their families.

The evening started with a bang with the very first lot ‘The Golden Peacock’ going for the joint highest bid of the night at £7,000.

The BookBench was painted by Basingstoke-based artist Sian Storey. She said: “We had done a lot of social media drive ahead of the event to get a buzz about the benches, but to see the amount raised tonight is fantastic. Whatever budget we have left will also be donated to the Ark.”

There was also a real moment of girl power after the NorthHantsMums were successful in buying the bench of the same name and so keeping it in the town.

Having raised £1,000 to bid, group founder Louise told The Gazette she was just enjoying the night.

She said: “When the amount for the Girl Power bench dropped I just felt my arm shoot up, I was shaking and the ladies sat either side of me were gripping me really tight.

“When we got out bid by £500, I got a text from Laura at The Topiary who said ‘its yours’ and I was ecstatic.”

Louise is now in talks with the Discovery Centre to keep the bench there and is looking to get a plaque reading ‘this is dedicated to the mums and children of North Hampshire’.

The whole project was the brainchild of staff at Destination Basingstoke, who delivered the trail which captured the imagination of residents and visitors alike.

Managing director of Destination Basingstoke, Felicity Edwards said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sitting With Jane has culminated in raising such an incredible amount for our partner charity.

It is lovely to know that some of the BookBenches will be staying local too.

“Huge thanks are due to everyone who shared Destination Basingstoke’s enthusiasm and passion for the project. Sitting With Jane has engaged with so many people.”