Elmer and two of his friends have arrived at Willis Towers Watson, the global risk management solutions company based in Ipswich, who have signed up as a sponsor for next year’s Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk campaign.
The brightly painted elephants have been given pride of place in the reception area but were also put out to taste the delights of the rooftop garden.
Richard Brame, managing director at the firm, said: “We are really pleased to be able to get involved with St Elizabeth Hospice’s latest art trail. We are proud to be one of the biggest employers in Ipswich and I am confident that our staff will really get behind the campaign and help to make it a great success.”
Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk, which raises valuable funds for Ipswich’s St Elizabeth Hospice, will be run in conjunction with public art event specialists, Wild in Art, as well as new partner, children’s publisher Andersen Press, which has published Elmer since 1989.
Norman Lloyd, campaign manager for St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Willis Towers Watson has been such an important employer for Ipswich for so many years and are so well known in the town it is fantastic news for us that they have decided to join our campaign. The brilliant thing about Elmer and his parade is that it works really well for businesses, no matter what size they are; from small family owned local firms to huge international concerns such as Willis Towers Watson.”
‘Pigs Gone Wild’ attracted around 250,000 visitors to Ipswich and boosted the local economy by an estimated £1 million. It raised £200,000 for the hospice – enough to fund one week’s care – and is a highlight of the hospice’s busy fundraising calendar.
Elmer the colourful patchwork elephant has been a nursery favourite since the first book was published by Andersen Press in 1989. A modern classic, this picture book is known to millions, and the entire Elmer series has sold over eight million copies around the world. The subtle inclusive message is that it is “OK to be different”.
Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk comes to Ipswich from June to September 2019, bringing 50 large and 100 young Elmer sculptures to discover around the town.
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