Partington’s Holiday Parks become the first business to sign up as a sculpture sponsor

Elmer, the patchwork Elephant, is already making new friends in Blackpool ahead of his Big Parade in the town next spring.

And now organisers of the town’s first major public art trail are keen to grow the herd by inviting businesses and organisation to sponsor their own Elmer sculpture.

Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool will see at least 30 large Elmer sculptures, each individually painted by artists and illustrators, placed in key locations around the town. It will create a free family-friendly eight-week trail, boosting Blackpool’s economy, celebrating everything that makes the town diverse and raising vital income for its children’s hospice, Brian House.

The trail was launched to local businesses and organisations at a special event at Blackpool Football Club last month, when Partington’s Holiday Parks became the first business to sign up as a sculpture sponsor.

It means they have invested in the trail and will have their branding on one of the sculptures around the town. The sculpture will then be auctioned along with all other Elmer sculptures on the trail at the end of the event to raise money for Brian House.

Andrea Challis, joint CEO of Partington’s with her brother Rob Kearlsey, said: “Partington’s Holiday Parks is thrilled to be the first sculpture sponsor and we are honoured to have our name associated with this exciting project.

“The team and our customers at Partington’s are so proud of our partnership with Brian House and can’t wait to participate in what will be another first for Blackpool next year.”

Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool is expected to bring more than 250,000 visitors to the town next spring as they take part in the trail and could contribute more than £1.5 million to the local economy. It is hoped it will raise more than £110,000 for Brian House.

Linzi Warburton, Head of Fundraising at Brian House, said: “Each of our unique Elmer sculptures will offer something completely different to the people taking part in our trail next year, and we are thrilled that, not only has Partington’s joined our herd, but they were the first to pledge their support to this major event.

“By having their branding associated with one of our Elmers, they truly are helping us to bring this art trail – the first of its kind – to Blackpool. With their support, and from others like them, Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool will to boost Blackpool’s economy and tourism, and bring civic pride in the diverse town we are proud to call home.”

For more information about Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool and how your businesses can get involved, check out our sponsors page