Tower Insurance becomes official sponsor of the Learning Programme

Date published: 1 June 2023

Meet our Learning Programme Sponsor

A major art trail due to take to the streets in Blackpool next spring will also provide a mammoth learning programme to schools across the Fylde coast, helping local children and you people celebrate diversity and inclusion through creativity.

As well as an accessible learning pack, participating schools, nurseries and youth organisations in Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool will get their very own young Elmer sculpture to design and decorate. It will then form part of the mammoth art trail before being returned to them to treasure.

The trail is being organised by, and will raise vital funds for, Brian House Children’s Hospice.

The Learning Programme is being made possible thanks to sponsors Tower Insurance Brokers, who couldn’t wait to get involved, pledging their support at a special launch event at Blackpool Football Club last month.

Tim Forshaw, CEO of Tower Insurance Brokers said: “We are an ethical and culture driven business. It is important that Tower act through time and money gifted, by supporting local charitable causes such as this art trail in aid of Brian House.

“The Insurance sector is sadly void of young people and talent. So having the chance to speak to our future generation of workers was an opportunity not to be missed. We are wanting to help raise awareness of the underlying message Elmer delivers, promoting diversity and generosity. We also want to demonstrate that whether it be through charitable work or just being nice to people, every little helps. Life can be difficult sometimes but remembering we’re all in this together can help us all feel more connected to those around us, regardless of age or background. Ultimately, we want to encourage people to give back to their community.

“We feel Brian House and Elmer have a lot in common. They are both the ‘elephant in the room’. People and businesses sometimes shy away from Brian House because the services they offer are so emotive. We have seen the great work Brian House does by making shorter lives great, fun and filled with love. It is this message we are also keen to help promote and help the community to openly speak about this and other challenging topics.”

Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool will see at least 30 large sculptures of David McKee’s much celebrated children’s book character, Elmer, in key locations to make a free family-friendly event across Blackpool. There will also be at least 30 young Elmers on the trail as part of the Learning Programme.

The programme will be available to schools, colleges and youth programmes across the Fylde coast, helping to deliver lessons to celebrate the wonderful things that make us different, supported by the new Ofsted Framework.

Linzi Warburton, Head of Fundraising at Brian House, said: “The Learning Programme is a key part of Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool, engaging with and celebrating the incredible schools, nurseries and youth organisations we are so lucky to have on the Fylde coast.

“It’s a chance for our children and young people to join this unique and fun event by adopting and designing their own young Elmer, which will be their to keep at the end of the trail.

“We’re so grateful to Tower Insurance Brokers for pledging their support of this mammoth event in Blackpool by sponsoring our Learning Programme. Because of them, we will be able to help local children and young people experiment with different artforms and use creativity as a learning tool.”

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

Trail App Events Contact