For once it won’t be a hard tusk to spot Wally

You won’t have much difficulty spotting this lad in a crowd. “Where’s Elmer” - designed by Where’s Wally artist Martin Handford - has been revealed as the first of up to 50 elephant sculptures set to join Elmer the Patchwork Elephant as part of a free public art installation in Maidstone this summer. Dubbed Elmer’s Big Heart of Kent Parade, the sculptures will raise awareness for the Heart of Kent Hospice, in Aylesford, which is working on the scheme in collaboration with event producers Wild in Art and children’s books publisher Andersen Press. The animal sculptures will be based on Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, the star of one of the most widely read children’s books written by David McKee, and will be situated at key locations. Organisers revealed the new arrival at an event last Thursday. The night was a chance for those backing the project to sponsor each Elmer and select which designs will go forward for the parade in the summer. The actual artwork though is being kept top secret as the public will not get to see the elephants until the trail is put in position, ready for its launch in mid June.

Hospice staff said of the new arrival: “Where’s Elmer, sponsored by Westerhill Homes, is the first sculpture which will be on the parade this summer. He has been created by artist Martin Handford.”

Last year, in a similar scheme, Wild in Art brought giant model ‘Snowdogs’ to Ashford, but the scheme is the first of its kind in Maidstone.

KM Media Group is the official media partner for Elmer’s Big

Heart of Kent Parade and other backers include Gullands solicitors, Westerhill Homes, Chartway Group, Scarbutts Printers, MCM Net, Clive Emson, Maidstone Borough Council, Gallagher Group and One Maidstone.

Maidstone artist Graham Clarke is the project’s artistic patron.