St Giles Hospice’s March of the Elephants Auction Stomps to Spectacular Success

St Giles Hospice’s March of the Elephants auction came to a triumphant close, raising an impressive £125,000 for vital end of life care services.

The event, held in the historic Lichfield Cathedral, saw around 200 people gather in person, with over 2,000 more watching online from around the world.

The auction marked the culmination of a community-wide art project featuring 30 large elephant sculptures and more than 40 mini-elephants, creating a visual feast for art enthusiasts and families alike. Each gentle giant was uniquely adorned by a mix of local and national artists, from well-known favourites to newly emerging talent. The smaller elephants of the herd were lovingly crafted by local schools and community groups, adding an extra touch of charm to this mammoth community project.

The stars of the show proved to be crowd favourites. ‘Mighty Oak’, inspired by the region’s beautiful green spaces and woodland areas, stood tall with a closing bid of £8,200. ‘Flora’, a golden, floral, glow-in-the-dark design inspired by nature, imagination, and life, blossomed to an impressive £7,000. ‘Tony’, painted by the St Giles Hospice team and signed by Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley, reached the high note of £3,200. Not to be overshadowed, ‘Daisy’, one of the smaller elephants sporting a silver floral glow-in-the-dark design, proved that great things come in small packages, reaching £5,600.

Elinor Eustace, Interim CEO of St Giles Hospice, was overjoyed with the results, and said: “It’s been an absolutely amazing night. We are so grateful to every single bidder and of course to the ones who are taking the elephants home. We have had some phenomenal bids in the cathedral, and it has been a fantastic night with over £125,000 raised on the sculptures alone, plus the amount we had raised just before this event too. It’s been a fantastic night for St Giles and thank you to the whole community for their support, it really does make a difference.”

Elinor emphasised the critical importance of events like these, particularly in the current climate.

She added: “With hospices across the UK facing a £77 million funding deficit, and St Giles grappling with a £1.5 million annual shortfall, nights like this are more than just fundraisers – they’re lifelines. Every pound raised helps us continue providing essential care to those who need it most in our community. In these challenging times, the success of this auction is a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we come together.”

Celebrity auctioneer Richard Winterton, who conducted the auction free of charge, helped to raise both interest and bids.

He said: “What a wonderful evening with an elephant-astic total raised for St Giles Hospice. This project was all about supporting the amazing work carried out by the team at St Giles Hospice and raising vital funds at a time when hospices need our support more than ever.

“I’m delighted that it has achieved that brilliantly. I’d like to thank everyone at St Giles Hospice and Wild In Art for their hard work and dedication in making March of the Elephants such a superb success. A special thank you goes to all our bidders and underbidders in the cathedral and online – every single lot sold on the night, and we couldn’t have done it without you all.

“We were honoured to offer our auction services to March of the Elephants, and I’m proud to have brought down the gavel so these superb sculptures can go off to their new forever homes.”

The March of the Elephants trail has been a colourful presence in Lichfield, Tamworth, and Sutton Coldfield for the past 10 weeks. Now, these beautiful sculptures will move on to their new homes, continuing to bring joy while supporting the vital work of St Giles Hospice.

For more information about St Giles Hospice and how to support their essential work, visit www.stgileshospice.com.

Schools and community groups across the region secure their opportunity to be part of special sculpture trail

St Giles Hospice is thrilled to announce they have sold all 30 of the initial elephant sculptures available to schools and community groups across the region, as part of their March of the Elephants public art sculpture trail, set to stomp across Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield in summer 2024. 

Emma Yates, said: “The community response has been overwhelming – we decided that we had to add more baby elephants to our herd to offer as many opportunities as possible out to our local community.  

“There will now be 55 baby elephants on the trail, that’s an additional 25 elephants available to sponsor – so please get in touch with the team to find out more if your school or community group is not yet involved!” 

As part of this exciting trail, March of the Elephants has partnered with schools and community groups across the region, encouraging a sense of community engagement and creativity through their Learner Programme.  

The adoption of these beautifully crafted elephant sculptures marks a significant step towards the launch of the unique art trail this summer, that promises to captivate the hearts and minds of the local community. 

Each elephant sculpture serves as a blank canvas for the group’s own artistic expression. Local schools and community groups have embraced the opportunity to showcase their creativity. 

Katie Shuck, Year 3 Teaching Assistant at Fulfen Primary School, said: “I became involved in the project because a young boy at our school has a really close link to St Giles Hospice, and we wanted to get on board to support him and his dad – he shares his story so lovingly with his peers. So, just to include the whole school in his story as well, and another chapter for him.” 

The trail is set to march through the picturesque backdrops of Lichfield, Tamworth, and Sutton Coldfield, offering the local community an ‘outdoor art gallery’ throughout the summer. St Giles Hospice aims to raise awareness and support for their vital services, whilst creating an immersive and enjoyable experience for all who visit the trail. 

Emma continued: “We are thrilled to see the enthusiastic response from schools and community groups in adopting our elephant sculptures as part of the trail’s Learner Programme.  

“The March of the Elephants trail is not only a celebration of art and creativity in our local area, but also a meaningful way to connect with our community and raise awareness for the vital services provided by St Giles Hospice.”  

The trail, promises to be a highlight for the region, bringing together art enthusiasts, families, and supporters of St Giles for a memorable experience.  

Families supported by St Giles Hospice enjoy a fun day out thanks to March of the Elephants partnership

Children and families supported by St Giles Hospice have been treated to a special day out, thanks to March of the Elephants presenting partner, The SnowDome.  

They were invited to attend the Snowdome’s ‘Winter Wonderland’ experience, which offers families a fully immersive experience, complete with real snow, animals, a carousel, and a show. 

Rebecca Mellor visited with her two young sons. She said: “Leo and his brother Mylo, had the best time at Winter Wonderland! We are so appreciative of this gift! The boys will remember this forever.  

“It was so nice to see a smile on Leo’s face after everything he has been through. Thank you so much.”

Another family who receives support from St Giles, said: “I am beyond grateful for these tickets, my children loved it! My son has been through so much heartbreak and sadness these last few months, so to see a smile on his face meant the world to me.” 

St Giles Hospice provides care to local people, and their loved ones, living with a terminal illness. St Giles works with the whole family when they are facing a loss or are bereaved. The hospice provides support free of charge to adults and children, regardless of how or where their loved one died. 

Shelley Coglan, Family Support Worker at St Giles Hospice, said: “We are so grateful to have been able to offer some of the families our team supports the chance to have this experience – it means so much to all of them.” 

This fun opportunity came about thanks to the partnership between St Giles Hospice and The SnowDome through the March of the Elephants sculpture trail which is due to go live on 1st July 2024.  

Emma Yates, Associate Director of Income Generation, at St Giles Hospice, said: “We’re extremely grateful to The SnowDome for gifting these tickets to us, and we really look forward to continuing this partnership with them in 2024 as they join us as presenting partners for our March of the Elephants trail.” 

Incredible elephant sculptures arrive ahead of public art trail

The launch of the 2024 March of the Elephants trail has been confirmed for 1st July  2024, where over 60 elephant sculptures will create an iconic  public art sculpture trail across Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield, brought to you by St Giles Hospice and Wild in Art. 

Hidden in plain sight on the streets, parks and open spaces, the elephants will form a family-friendly trail of discovery and bring our local schools, communities and businesses together.  

Elephants are wonderful, majestic animals, and have characteristics synonymous with the nature of the care St Giles Hospice provides to patients,  

The money raised from the auction at the end of the March of the Elephants trail will help support St Giles to provide care for local people, and their loved ones, living with a terminal illness.  

Each elephant on the trail, will be decorated with a unique design by a local or national artist. Businesses and individuals across the region are invited to join the herd by sponsoring an elephant – with only a few sculptures still up for grabs, sponsors will get their pick of designs to be displayed on their very own elephant.  

Schools and groups are also able to get involved in a range of creative learning activities, and many across the region are designing and adopting their very own mini elephant sculpture. 

Emma Yates, Associate Director of Income Generation at St Giles Hospice, said: “We’re so happy to see our sculptures have arrived safely ahead of the trail next summer. We’re eager for families and businesses alike to get involved and help us raise money for St Giles. 

“July 2024 can’t come soon enough. The next step is for the elephants to be decorated by our herd of talented artists, designers and illustrators.” 

Following the trail, the sculptures will be auctioned off in September 2024 to raise funds for the hospice.

Hospice’s pink elephant sculpture pays a visit to local sponsors ahead of fundraising art trail

Barbie-themed elephant stops by Barton based cinema, as “Barbie Mania” sweeps across the globe

March of the Elephants calls for artists to showcase their skills in sculpture trail set to feature across Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield

A launch event supported by local businesses and VIP guest, singer, Tony Hadley, was held to kickstart colourful art trail, March of the Elephants, at the St Mary’ Hub in Lichfield. 

The March of the Elephants trail is an exciting, free public art sculpture trail due to take place in summer 2024, which will see around 60 elephant sculptures pop up across Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield from 1st July 2024. 

The launch event welcomed special celebrity guest Tony Hadley, former member of the band Spandau Ballet.  

Prior to attending the event in Lichfield, Tony visited patients, volunteers and staff on the St Giles Hospice Inpatient Unit in Whittington to see first hand how the funds from the trail will impact local people, and their loved ones.  

Whilst visiting the Whittington site, he met patient, Colin Frewtell, 85, from Lichfield, along with Colin’s friend, Karen. Colin said: “It was lovely to have Tony come and visit us in the hospice – he’s a really nice man and chatted with me about lots of different things – including The Chase!  

“Karen, my friend, is a superfan of Tony’s – she worships him! So, as soon as I knew he was coming, I told her to come along and visit me” 

Following the visit, Tony officially launched the March of the Elephants sculpture trail by unveiling and signing a “gold” elephant sculpture, which will feature on the trail from next summer, before being auctioned off in the Autumn to raise vital funds for St Giles. 

The 62-year-old singer said: “I was hoping and praying the elephant I unveiled would be gold, and I was right! It’s really beautiful and I’m looking forward to seeing the other elephants that will be unveiled.  

“I think March of the Elephants is such an amazing project and how can you not want to get behind it. We never know one day, ourselves or one of our loved ones may need hospice care. If you can, please dig deep and support this trail to help raise vital funds for St Giles Hospice.  

Had a great day both at the launch and at the hospice – meeting the patients and staff at the hospice was brilliant, and being here has been fantastic, it’s been great to learn more about what’s to come in Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield for 2024.” 

Elinor Eustace, Deputy Chief Executive at St Giles Hospice, welcomed everyone to the launch where guest speakers spoke about the benefits of getting involved in the trail, how it will impact local people, and the difference funds raised from the trail will make to local people, and their loved ones living with a terminal illness.  

Tim Carter, Director at the SnowDome, who are also presenting partners for the trail, said: “We’re really excited and proud to be presenting partners for the March of the Elephants Trail. As a company, it’s always been really important to us to offer inclusive, family activities to our community, and we’ve chosen to work closely with St Giles on this project so we can continue to do that throughout the Summer of 2024.” 

With the trail going live in summer 2024, there are so many ways to get involved with the trail, including sponsoring an elephant. 

If you want to find out more about sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch at [email protected]

March of the Elephants calls for artists to showcase their skills in sculpture trail set to feature across Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield

*Dates updated*

March of the Elephants is calling for artist submissions for its sculpture trail, which is set to parade streets, parks and open spaces in summer 2023.

In partnership with Wild in Art, St Giles Hospice will display a herd of 60 elephant models across Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield.

Each sculpture will be designed and decorated by artists and communities to create the large-scale public art event, which will bring tourism and economic benefits to the region, put smiles on people’s faces, promote wellbeing and exploration and raise vital funds for St Giles Hospice.

Chloe Hope, Head of Fundraising at St Giles Hospice, said: “We need artists that will go head and shoulders above the rest. Our incredible herd of sculptures will be displayed for ten weeks next summer in locations across the cities and towns, highlighting iconic spots and hidden gems and engaging with communities from Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield.

“From fine art, graffiti and mosaic, we’re encouraging artists from all backgrounds to submit their designs which will help people to get out and about and explore their local areas.”

Once submitted, design ideas will be presented to sponsors and successful artists are commissioned to apply their designs to the sculptures.

The first painted elephant, fondly named Elvis, was decorated by artist, Michelle Turton.

Michelle said: “I’m so pleased to be part of March of the Elephants with St Giles. My friend was cared for by St Giles in 2018 and we have wonderful memories of her time there. Designing and painting this elephant was something special, not only celebrating my friend’s memory but supporting the hospice at the same time.”

Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director at Wild in Art, said: “We’re excited to be working with St Giles Hospice to parade the elephants across the streets, parks and open spaces of Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for artists to add to their own portfolio and support a great cause by raising vital funds for St Giles Hospice.”

Artists should visit www.marchoftheelephants.co.uk/artists/ to complete the submission form. Designs must be submitted by 30th September 2023*. A maximum of three designs can be submitted. The final selection for designs will be made in October 2023*.

If you want to find out more about sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch at [email protected]

Hospice patient unveils name of elephant sculpture ahead of World Elephant Day 2022

Ahead of World Elephant Day 2022, the name of the first March of the Elephants sculpture has been chosen by a patient receiving care at St Giles Hospice. The sculpture trail, due to take place throughout Summer 2023, will celebrate 40 years of St Giles providing care for local people and their families.

The name, Elvis, was chosen after Christine Hurden, 82, picked the suggestion out of the hat – the entries, which were submitted by colleagues and visitors, were “all shook up” before the final name was drawn. Christine, who has three children, is currently a patient on the Inpatient Unit receiving pain management after being diagnosed with bone cancer last month.

She said: “This is the first time that I’ve seen the elephant sculpture since coming into the hospice – I certainly didn’t expect it to be this big! It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it? What an extraordinary job the artist has done.”

Elvis was decorated by artist, Michelle Turton, who chose a “Keep Strong, Stay Positive” message to be displayed on the five-foot sculpture. Elvis is 1 of 60 elephant sculptures who will parade the streets and parks of Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield throughout Summer 2023. Each sculpture will be designed by local, regional and national artists, designers and illustrators – both well-known favourites and newly emerging talent.

Christine continued: “I’m honoured to have been asked to pick the name – he’s the first elephant to have been unveiled – you could say fame at last!”

“I feel incredibly lucky to be receiving care at St Giles – the staff here have been exceptionally attentive; the porridge has been fantastic too! St Giles has such a superb history of caring for people and their families.

“My friends and family can visit Elvis next year knowing that I played a part in choosing what he would be called – what a lovely memory.”

Zoe Wright, Events Manager at St Giles Hospice, said:

“It’s so touching that Christine has picked the name of the first elephant to be unveiled for our March of the Elephants sculpture trail as money raised from the trail will help support patients like Christine and their families.”

What do you think about our elephant’s new name? We “can’t help falling in love” with him more and more every time we see him in the entrance to our hospice.

To find out more about the 2023 March of the Elephants sculpture trail and how you can get involved, visit our sponsor, artist and school pages.

Herd of colourful elephants to take over Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield in celebration of St Giles Hospice’s 40th anniversary

St Giles Hospice is delighted to officially announce the launch of “March of the Elephants”, an exciting public art sculpture trail due to take place in Summer 2023.

The event will celebrate the vibrancy and creativity that our community has to offer as well as showcasing a spectacular variety of talent across Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield.

March of the Elephants will see St Giles Hospice team up with event experts Wild in Art, who have been delivering world class public art events across the globe for over ten years.

More than 60 elephant sculptures will bring colour and joy to the streets, parks and open spaces across Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield, for ten weeks before being auctioned off to raise funds for St Giles Hospice.

Decorated by local and national artists, designers and illustrators, the elephants will form an ‘unforgettable’ trail of colourful sculptures for visitors to discover and enjoy. The free public art event is set to benefit the whole community, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to join in the fun.

Andrew Harkness, Chief Executive at St Giles Hospice, said:

“We are so excited to be working with Wild in Art to bring this trail to Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield. The trail will bring tourism and economic benefits to the region, put smiles on people’s faces, promote wellbeing and exploration and raise vital funds for St Giles Hospice.

“This is the largest event we have ever held. We hope that the community join us in celebrating the care delivered by St Giles in line with our 40th anniversary, enjoy seeing the beautiful elephant sculptures and perhaps learn a bit more about what hospice care is all about.”

Call for Partners & Sponsors

Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of Wild in Art, said:

“We are delighted to be working with St Giles Hospice to create the March of the Elephants sculpture trail.

“Our events are designed to bring the enjoyment of public art to everyone while offering new ways for people to explore their local area.

“Sponsorship of an elephant sculpture is a fabulous opportunity and there are many exciting ways to benefit from a collaboration and support St Giles Hospice.”

St Giles Hospice will soon be announcing some of the partners and sponsors who have already marched on board for 2023, but is now calling out for other businesses to take the opportunity to get involved by sponsoring an elephant sculpture.

Learning Programme

There is also an opportunity for schools and community groups to join in the march, with a chance to design and adopt their very own mini elephant sculpture.

Chloe Hope, Head of Fundraising at St Giles Hospice, added:

“We are launching the learning programme specifically for schools and community groups and we can’t wait to see the creative designs that the pupils come up with! Whilst this is an amazing opportunity for our charity to raise vital funds, we hope we are also giving something wonderful back into the local community that has supported St Giles Hospice for 40 years. The next 12 months will be a whirlwind of excitement and organisation for us, and I would urge local any educational institution, organisation or group to get in touch early so they can be part of this amazing celebration event.”

Get involved

If you’re an artist, represent a business, school, college, or local community group and want to be involved, or are interested in finding out more, email [email protected]