Elephant sculpture trail gone but not forgotten
Hospice postpones charity art installation until next year
A public art installation featuring 40 giant elephants dotted around Maidstone has been postponed until next year. Elmer’s Big Heart of Kent Parade was due to see the sculptures, each sporting different designs, arrive on the town centre streets in June to form three trails.
The colourful public artworks were to raise awareness for Aylesford’s Heart of Kent Hospice, which has been working on the scheme in collaboration with event producers Wild in Art and publisher of the Elmer the Patchwork Elephant children’s books, Andersen Press. But the hospice has announced that, with public safety in mind, it has taken the decision to put the event back until the summer of 2021.
Sarah Pugh, chief executive at the Heart of Kent Hospice, said: “Understandably our priority is to our 880 patients and their loved ones, and to our colleagues, supporters and volunteers; and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents and tourists visiting Maidstone for the parade.
“We are extremely grateful to our parade partners, sponsors, schools and groups who all support our decision to postpone Elmer’s Big Heart of Kent
Parade and who are committed to making it even bigger and better in 2021.
“It will not only be a vibrant, colourful and momentous event for families to enjoy but we hope it will be a celebration of our local community uniting and getting through this challenging time together.”
The hospice is now appealing for urgent donations to keep it going as income from events and charity shops dries up. To donate, visit hokh.org, call 01622 790195 or send to Heart of Kent Hospice, Preston Hall, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7PU.