TeleGrom Sculpture’s hidden role to send messages to hospital kids
ONE of the sculptures in this year’s Gromit Unleashed 2 arts trail has a very special purpose, and that is to deliver your telegrams of good will to the poorly children at Bristol Children’s Hospital.
Bristol’s Own, affectionately known as Private Gromit, is a First World War messenger dog currently stationed in Queen Square.
He is sat and ready take the messages he receives from the kind people of Bristol and beyond to the patients and their families at the city hospital.
Having been posted to such an important mission, Gromit himself is missing home and sending his own telegrams to his darling Poppy, telling her all about the goings on in the city and the wonderful people – and dogs – he is meeting.
In fact, if you look closely at one of Bristol’s Own pockets, you might catch a glimpse of one of his telegrams.
Bristol’s Own will be sending one of his ‘Dear Poppy’ telegrams home once a week until the Grand Appeal charity trail ends in September. After which, his telegrams will be displayed at the children’s hospital for all to see.
In the meantime, Bristol’s Own sponsors Barcan and Kirby are inviting people to pop into their offices at 49-50 Queens Square to write their own inspirational and kind telegram which the Private will then fetch up to the hospital.
The law firm – which is based across Bristol – are supporters of the hospital and the children there and know how much these messages will mean to the little ones in the hospital’s care.
One of the people helping Pri- vate Gromit complete his mission said: “It costs nothing to send a message but can make children – who are going through a tough time – feel very happy.”
You are also able to send your messages through the Facebook page and Twitter if you are unable to venture down to Queen Square in person, as well as follow the Private’s movements and telegrams online.
Barcan and
Kirby Solicitors also invite you to send your well wishes via email bristolsown@ barcankirby.co.uk and they will make sure the children get them.
Bill Willcocks, managing partner at Barcan+Kirby, said: “The idea of Gromit delivering telegrams to the hospital came about because we were inspired by the messages we saw at the Cots for Tots House when we sponsored their Christmas appeal last December.”
“Anyone can write a message and have it delivered by Bristol’s Own – you can pick up a telegram slip from our office in Queen Square, fill it out and then pop it in the special post box which we’re looking after for him.
“Alternatively, tweet your messages to @BristolsOwn – Gromit will then take care of the rest!”
Bristol’s Own artist Susan Webber got her inspiration for the courageous Gromit and his name from the 12th Gloucestershire Battalion which was raised by the Citizen’s Recruiting Committee in August 1914.