St Elizabeth Hospice launch fundraising art trail ‘Pigs Gone Wild’ at Suffolk Show

Unveiling of the pig for the Pigs Gone Wild campaign. L-R Leigh Hemmings, Norman Lloyd, and show president Terry Hunt. (Image: Archant)

St Elizabeth Hospice unveiled its new initiative, the biggest mass participation public art event the town has seen, this morning,

Unveiling of the pig for the Pigs Gone Wild campaign. L-R Norman Lloyd, Leigh Hemmings and show president Terry Hunt. (Image: Archant)

‘Pigs Gone Wild, supported by the EADT, Ipswich Star and Town 102, will see around 40 pig sculptures displayed on an art trail around the town and the waterfront next summer for 10 weeks, in aid of the hospice.

Show president Terry Hunt with wife Jane

The first pig, ‘Tally-ho Trotters’, has already proven a big hit with show-goers of all ages.

The charity has teamed up with public art exhibitionist and sculpture designers, Wild in Art for the scheme, based on Norwich’s GoGoGorillas, which raised thousands for Norfolk charity Break.

Norman Lloyd, hospice special projects manager, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Wild in Art and bringing this fantastic public art exhibition to our creative town.

“Everyone absolutely loved our first pig and we’re extremely excited to start talking to local businesses and artists about sponsoring and creating the other sculptures.”

The pigs will be joined by more than 30 piglet sculptures – created by local students and teachers – displayed in litters in town centre stores and venues.

EADT and Ipswich Star editor Terry Hunt, who is also Suffolk Agricultural Association president, said: “It’s a really special and important initiative.

“Companies have the opportunity to sponsor their own pig to raise funds for the hospice.

“We all might be a little bit sore about losing to Norwich City in the play-offs and their promotion to the Premier League, so this is a chance to do even better than Norwich did with their brilliant project.”