March of the Elephants return to West Midlands
March of the Elephants is opening in Tamworth, Sutton Coldfield, and Lichfield today.
From today (1 July) until 8 September, a trail of elephant can be found in Tamworth, Sutton Coldfield, and Lichfield.
Streets, parks, and open spaces in the region are home to over 60 colourful sculptures, which have been designed by local and national artists. There are also more than 40 mini members of the herd that have been designed by local schools and communities.
St Giles Hospice has installed these artistic animals with the aim of auctioning them off by the end of their stay to raise money for people living with terminal illnesses.
Emma Yates, Deputy Director of Income Generation at St Giles Hospice, said: "We are absolutely delighted to see our herd make such a grand entrance and at our launch event they just dazzled in the sunshine before they headed off on their journey. After so many weeks of them being kept under wraps, it was fantastic to see them out in the open and for us to be able to finally reveal the incredible designs, from the Where’s Ellie design to the skiing elephant and even one decorated like a bee.
“This trail is perfect for families looking for summer holiday adventures. It's an irresistible way to explore our local areas while raising vital funds for St Giles and we can’t wait for everyone to see them. We're bringing colour and creativity to our streets while supporting a cause close to our hearts."
To help visitors navigate the trail, an interactive app has been launched. Trail-goers can use it to find each elephant, ticking them off their list as they go. The app also offers rewards linked to the areas people are visiting, ensuring an engaging experience for all. These include family tickets to Lichfield’s Maize Maze, gift vouchers, entrance to Twycross Zoo, hampers and family photoshoots.