Elephants to parade into Luton for 2021 art trail

A vibrant parade of elephants will arrive in Luton next summer to form a unique public art trail – raising funds for Keech Hospice Care.

At least 30 dazzlingly designed elephant sculptures will make up The Big Trunk Trail and trumpet along a free art trail around Luton’s landmarks and public spaces for 11 weeks.

This first-of-its-kind spectacular is a Wild in Art event brought to the town by Keech Hospice Care, the adult hospice for Luton and Bedfordshire and the children’s hospice for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes.

Liz Searle, CEO of Keech Hospice Care, said the charity’s delighted to be bringing this unique event to Luton from 3 July 2021 to mark the hospice’s 30th anniversary.

“As a local charity caring for adults and children, we’ve been supported by our amazing community for 30 years. As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, this fantastic, free, family-friendly event is our way of saying thank you to the truly remarkable people, businesses and organisations who’ve supported our hospice through the years.

“I am excited at the thought of these magnificent elephants standing among Luton’s iconic attractions and streets, bringing colour and fun to the town. Another collective name for elephants is a ‘memory’ and, as a hospice, we hope The Big Trunk Trail will bring people together to remember loved ones while creating fantastic new memories,” said Liz.

The sculptures will be sponsored by businesses and individually brought to life with designs crafted by artists from Luton and beyond. They’ll be joined by elephant calf sculptures which will be decorated in artwork by local schools and community groups.

Linsey Frostick, Chairperson of Love Luton, Project Presenting Partner of The Big Trunk Trail, said this unique art trail will offer something for everyone and is for the whole community to be part of.

“The Big Trunk Trail will offer a totally different experience to both families and art lovers alike, and encourage visitors to Luton for a fabulous day out. It will get people exploring parts of the town they may not have visited before. The Love Luton partnership is delighted to be sponsoring this exciting project in 2021.”

At the end of the event, the large sculptures will be auctioned to raise money for Keech Hospice Care so it can continue to provide its excellent care to adults and children with life- limiting and terminal illnesses, and their families.

Liz Searle added: “A variety of sponsorship packages are available for businesses to join The Big Trunk Trail and help make something truly memorable for Luton and Keech Hospice Care. We are delighted at the uptake and enthusiasm to date.”

Wild in Art’s award-winning sculpture trails have been bringing together communities in cities around the world since 2008. To date, its events have contributed more than £15 million to charities and £2.4 million to creative communities.

Charlie Langhorne, Co-founder and Managing Director at Wild in Art, said: “We are delighted to be bringing The Big Trunk Trail to Luton and working with our partners Keech Hospice Care to bring something truly exciting to the town.

“Our events are designed to bring the enjoyment of public art to everyone while offering new ways for people to explore their local area, but we need the support of local businesses to make it happen.

“Sponsorship of an elephant is an unprecedented business development, employee and community engagement opportunity. There are many exciting ways to benefit from creative collaborations with us and it is an excellent way to support Keech Hospice Care’s vital work. Don’t miss the chance to join us.”

For more information visit the Big Trunk Trail website.