A collection of 40 elephant sculptures that captivated visitors in Leicester's city center over the summer raised more than $353,000 (£286,000) at a charity auction to benefit LOROS Hospice. The sculptures were sold at Leicester City's King Power Stadium on Tuesday, marking the successful conclusion of the "Stomp Round Leicester" art trail that ran from mid-July through September 28.
The art trail proved to be a major attraction, drawing approximately 490,000 visits during its two-and-a-half-month run. The public display featured creatively designed elephant sculptures positioned throughout Leicester's downtown area, each crafted by different artists to showcase unique artistic interpretations and themes.
Several sculptures commanded particularly high prices at the auction. The top-selling piece, "Ellie," created by artist Amy Bourbon as a lifelike representation of a young African elephant, fetched $17,300 (£14,000). Another standout piece, "XL," designed by international artist Alex Echo, sold for $14,800 (£12,000). These premium sales demonstrated the quality and appeal of the artistic works featured in the trail.
One particularly meaningful sculpture, titled "Remember Me," will remain with LOROS Hospice after supporters collectively bid $35,800 (£29,000) to gift it to the organization. This elephant featured the names of loved ones who had passed away, making it especially significant for the hospice community and families they serve.
The fundraising initiative comes at a critical time for LOROS Hospice, which has been facing significant financial challenges. Camilla Barrow, acting CEO at LOROS, expressed overwhelming gratitude for the community support. "We are absolutely blown away by the total raised - it's a staggering amount and that's all thanks to the incredible generosity of these supporters," Barrow said. "I'd like to thank them all so much."
Barrow emphasized that the art trail served a dual purpose beyond fundraising, helping to raise awareness about hospice care during a particularly challenging period. "This trail had helped 'shine a light' on hospice care at a time when we need it most," she explained. However, she acknowledged that while the auction results represent significant progress, the hospice still faces substantial financial hurdles ahead.
"This magnificent total is a step towards securing our future, but we still have a mammoth hill to climb," Barrow noted, indicating that additional fundraising efforts will be necessary to ensure the hospice's long-term sustainability and continued ability to serve patients and families in the Leicester area.
