A TEACHER from Fernhill Heath, is spearheading a new campaign to bring one of the stunning sculptures from the elephant trail to St Richard’s Hospice for patients, families and staff to enjoy.

Gemma Ward is calling on the community to raise funds so that ‘An Elephant Never Forgets’ can make the hospice garden its forever home.

All 30 large elephants and one baby, Spark-Ele, will go under the hammer on 14 October to raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice, which cares for patients with serious progressive illnesses and their loved ones too.

With the reserve for each expected to start at £3,000, Gemma is hoping to raise £5,000 to be able to bid for the elephant on the hospice’s behalf.

She said: “It’s been wonderful for us all to enjoy the elephants brought to the city by St Richard’s this summer and create many happy memories with our loved ones. So, it feels fitting that they should have their own elephant in the hospice gardens as a lasting memory of the project.

“The beautiful sculpture would also serve as a tribute to the amazing hospice team who’ve continued their care and compassion despite what the pandemic threw them and in a challenging time for fundraising with events cancelled and charity shops closed for long periods.

“I picked 'An Elephant Never Forgets', as it’s one the hospice had already taken under its wing without an official sponsor.

"It also has forget-me-nots and snowdrops among the flowers on the design, which symbolise the promise to live on in the memories of loved ones and the legacy left behind. It feels a bit like bringing the elephant home to where it belongs!”

Tricia Cavell, fundraising director at St Richard’s, said: “Each and every elephant on the trail was special but the team all have a particular soft spot for ‘An Elephant Never Forgets’ because remembrance is such a big part of our work here.

“We’re so grateful to Gemma for launching the fundraiser. The Parade just wouldn’t have been possible without such amazing community support and we can’t thank everyone enough.”

To make a donation to bring ‘An Elephant Never Forgets’ to the hospice, visit Gemma’s fundraising page at: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/worcestersbigparade