Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool 2024
Partner Plus Media is incredibly honoured to be a sponsor for Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool 2024! As a long-time supporter of Brian House Children’s Hospice, who are collaborating with Wild In Art and Andersen Press on this ambitious project, we jumped at the opportunity to show our continued support and appreciation for this amazing, local charity.
What is Elmer’s Big Parade?
The project takes the popular children’s character Elmer the Patchwork Elephant to key landmarks in the UK town of Blackpool in the form of large decorated elephant sculptures, each of which is sponsored by a local business. Our very own sponsored sculpture recently stopped by our UK office for a quick photoshoot before he takes to the streets in all his colourful glory!
The outdoor Art Trail, fully accessible and free to locals and tourists alike, will open from April 2024. It will see Elmer and 30 of his uniquely decorated friends appear on the streets of Blackpool in the biggest public art trail the town has ever seen, bringing joy and laughter to the local area for 8 colour-filled weeks!
About Brian House Children’s Hospice
Based in Blackpool, in the North West of England, Brian House Children’s Hospice is a part of Trinity Hospice that is dedicated to caring for local children with very complex needs and life-limiting conditions. Despite the seriousness of the health problems faced by children here, Brian House is an incredibly vibrant, noisy, happy place that not only provides respite, palliative and end-of-life care for children and young people, but also specialist therapies, including play and music therapy, as well as support for the entire family.
Founded in December 1996, the facility was extended in 2005 and then underwent a significant refurbishment in 2014 to further enhance the quality and quantity of services they are able to provide. Offering all services completely free of charge to those who need them, the biggest obstacle for Brian House Children’s Hospice is funding. It costs over £1 million each year to keep Brian House open, with the vast majority of its funding coming from privately raised funds. Holding events all throughout the year, from fun runs through to large-scale public events such as this, Brian House relies heavily on the fundraising efforts of individuals and businesses to continue providing their invaluable services.
Meet Beach Belle!
Our sponsored sculpture, Beach Belle, is a stunning piece of art designed and painted by the incredibly talented Donna Newman of Eden Designs. Donna’s work on Beach Belle beautifully captures the essence of Blackpool, England’s most famous seaside resort and the birthplace of Partner Plus Media. This masterpiece is a vibrant tribute to the town’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
Beach Belle’s design features Royal Mail Picture Postcard stamps issued in 1994 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of pictorial postcards. These stamps celebrate Blackpool's allure as a beloved tourist destination. The sculpture is adorned with famous seaside song lyrics, evoking the timeless charm of Blackpool’s musical heritage. Adding to her colourful and lively appearance, Beach Belle is decorated with intricate illustrations of seaside creatures and flowers, embodying the spirit of joy and festivity that Blackpool is known for.
Beach Belle Being Created
The excitement around Beach Belle has resonated deeply within our Partner Plus Media team. Our team members, including Darren Street and Kyle Bonar, had the privilege of attending the Elmer's Big Parade Blackpool preview event. Posing with Beach Belle and celebrating the beginning of this incredible journey, they were able to witness firsthand the vibrant energy and creativity of the parade.
The visit was a wonderful opportunity for Darren and Kyle to connect with the local community, share in the excitement, and see the positive impact of this event. Their enthusiasm and support for Beach Belle and Brian House Children’s Hospice are truly inspiring.
Currently, Beach Belle is stationed at Blackpool North Train Station, one of the busiest and most iconic locations in the town. Here, she delights visitors and locals alike with her vibrant design, serving as a cheerful ambassador for Elmer’s Big Parade and the causes it supports. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, Beach Belle is sure to bring a smile to your face and remind you of the simple pleasures of seaside life.
Recently, more staff from Partner Plus Media took to the streets of Blackpool to visit Beach Belle at her current location. It was a moment of pride and joy for everyone involved. Seeing her vibrant colours and intricate design up close was a testament to the hard work and creativity that went into this project.
We believe in fostering a sense of community and engagement among our employees. These visits not only strengthen our bond as a team but also reaffirm our commitment to supporting local causes and bringing joy to the community.
A Look Back at the Beach Belle Colouring Competition
As part of the Blackpool Elmer Trail and our sponsorship of Beach Belle, we hosted a vibrant colouring competition with fantastic prizes up for grabs! We encouraged artists of all ages to unleash their creativity and colour in our Beach Belle illustration. We had a fantastic time with the Beach Belle colouring competition! It was wonderful to see the creativity unleashed by participants of all ages. Thank you to everyone who downloaded the colouring page, coloured it in, and sent in their masterpieces.
We received a huge number of entries, all showcasing amazing talent and imagination. While the competition is now closed, we truly appreciate everyone who participated and helped spread the word about Brian House Children's Hospice.
A huge congratulations to all our winners! Here's a breakdown of the exciting prizes awarded:
Age Group: Under 6: Winner: £50 - Runner Up: £25
Age Group: 6-11: Winner: £75 - Runner Up: £25
Age Group: 12-16: Winner: £100 - Runner Up: £25
We were so impressed by the creativity and talent displayed in each entry. Thank you again to everyone who participated!
AMAZING news! We're thrilled to announce that this incredible project, Elmer's Big Parade Blackpool, has raised a fantastic sum of money for Brian House Children's Hospice: a whopping £143,550!
This incredible amount will make a real difference in the lives of children and families supported by Brian House. A huge shout out to all the tireless teams at Trinity Hospice, Blackpool and Brian House Children's Hospice who brought this joy-filled event to life for thousands of people.
As proud sponsors of Beach Belle, the stunning elephant sculpture, we were delighted to see her sell for an incredible £2,300! Congratulations to all the winning bidders – you're now the proud owners of a truly unique piece of art!
While the Blackpool Elmer Trail may be over, the memories and community spirit it fostered live on! Remember Beach Belle, the vibrant sculpture that captured everyone's hearts? We were incredibly proud to sponsor her and be part of this incredible event.
We hope you had a chance to snap a selfie with Beach Belle during the trail. Feel free to share your photos on social media and tag us to spread the joy!
Beach Belle wasn't just a sculpture; she embodied the spirit of the event – community, creativity, and supporting a worthy cause. We're grateful to everyone who participated and helped raise awareness for Brian House Children's Hospice.
If you would like to make a donation to Brian House or get involved in some other way, you can find all the information you need on their website: https://www.brianhouse.org.uk/
