Elmer helps raise thousands for charity

The auction of hundreds of hand painted 'Elmer elephants' around the country has helped to raise 765,000 for Hospice Charities.

During the summer and autumn 2019, three Elmer's Big Art Parade auctions were held, at The Sage Gateshead, the Great North Parade and Tyne and Wear, in partnership with publisher Andersen Press and public arts specialists Wild in Art. With the three special trails, marking Elmer's 30th Birthday in 2019, Elmer has helped raise an unprecedented 765,000 for hospice charities around the country. Paul Black, PR and brand director at Andersen Press, said of the events, "When we first partnered with Wild in Art we all thought we'd have a great summer and celebrate Elmer and the three hospice charities involved, and hoped to raise some money, but the reaction to Elmer has surpassed what we could have ever dreamed of, and to play a part in raising three quarters of a million pounds for charity in the anniversary year really is the cherry on top of this particular birthday cake!" A trail in Maidstone, Kent has already been confirmed for Summer 2020 in partnership with Heart of Kent Hospice, and more are expected. Elmer's Big Art Parades are a public art event in collaboration with Wild in Art, during which Elmer sculptures decorated by artists are placed on display to the public, before being auctioned off for a specific charity. These are three hospices, St Elizabeths in Ipswich, St Lukes in Plymouth and St Oswalds in Newcastle. Ipswich's trail and auction raised 260,000, Plymouth's raised 323,000 and Newcastle's raised 182,000, a grand total for 2019 of 765,000!