Having settled by the entrance of the University’s Campus Centre in Luton, ‘Unity’ the elephant will keep staff and students company for the next four weeks. The elephant has been visiting a number of schools, shops, community centres and businesses around the town as part of a touring campaign to help drum up sponsorship and awareness of Keech Hospice Care’s upcoming Big Trunk Trail 2021.

The University of Bedfordshire is a long-standing supporter of Keech Hospice Care. It always looks to support the charity where possible, so staff jumped at the chance to host this beautiful beast.

Rosie Munro, Corporate Events Manager in the Vice Chancellor’s Office, said:

We are thrilled to be able to house this special elephant sculpture at our Luton campus for the next four weeks. Our students and staff respond really well to creative activity in the town and this project is definitely something we will all be able to get behind. Events like the Big Trunk Trail are what makes us proud to be part of such a creative and charitable community.

Next summer, a whole parade of these elephants will be dotted around Luton as part of The Big Trunk Trail – a public event to mark Keech Hospice Care’s 30^th anniversary. Individuals, families and friends will be encouraged to join in with the free challenge and hunt down the decorated Dumbos hidden around the town, helping to raise much-needed funds for Keech Hospice Care and bringing together the community for an unforgettable jumbo-sized event.

Unity has been spotted at @uniofbeds 🐘 #spottheelephant https://t.co/BcLPFAGUYX

— BigTrunkTrail (@BigTrunkTrail) November 24, 2020

After hosting ‘Unity’ in the run up to Christmas this winter, Bedfordshire has been confirmed as one of the lucky sponsors of The Big Trunk Trail 2021 through its work with the Love Luton partnership, and will get to look after one of the tremendous fibreglass mammals on campus next summer. The University’s designated elephant sculpture will form part of this free, fun and family-friendly art trail which will be set up around Luton’s key landmarks, buildings, streets and open spaces.

Liz Searle, CEO of Keech Hospice Care, said:

As a local charity caring for adults and children, we’ve been supported by our amazing community for thirty years. As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, this fantastic free family-friendly event is our way of saying thank you to the truly remarkable people, businesses and organisations who’ve supported our hospice over the years.

I am excited at the thought of these magnificent elephants standing among Luton’s iconic attractions and institutions, including the University of Bedfordshire and look forward to meeting with the Vice-Chancellor in December to collaborate further on The Big Trunk Trail.

Another collective name for elephants is a ‘memory’ and, as a hospice, we hope The Big Trunk Trail will bring people together to remember loved ones while creating fantastic new memories.

Every sculpture in The Big Trunk Trail herd will be decorated with its own piece of unique artwork, showcasing the wealth of artistic talent on offer in Luton, Bedfordshire and beyond – and the University is encouraging creative students from the School of Art & Design to enter.

The designs will be shortlisted before the final artwork is hand-picked by each of the sponsors. As well as receiving prize money, the winners will be invited to bring their designs to life which will be put on display from 3^rd July 2021, in collaboration with Wild in Art.

Entry is still open for budding artists and creatives to submit a design for each of the thirty elephants. The adult sculptures will also be joined on the trail by elephant calf sculptures which will be decorated with artwork by local schools and community groups.

People interested in submitting a Big Trunk Trail elephant design proposal can find further information online: www.bigtrunktrail.co.uk/artists

When the project comes to an end in October 2021, the large sculptures will be auctioned off to raise money for Keech Hospice Care. These funds will allow the charity to continue providing care to adults and children with life-limiting and terminal illnesses and their families.

Keech Hospice Care and their Love Luton project partners are still seeking the support of business sponsors, schools and community groups for their elephant and calf sculptures – those interested in supporting or sponsoring The Big Trunk Trail can find out more by visiting: www.bigtrunktrail.co.uk/get-involved