SLC Rail is the latest business to join Worcester’s Big Parade next summer.
Birmingham-based SLC Rail, which supported Worcestershire County Council to design and deliver Worcestershire Parkway – the county’s first new station in over 100 years – and continues to support the council on future rail schemes in the area, is to sponsor an elephant in the eight-week art trail being brought to the city by St Richard’s Hospice.
SLC Rail will fund a large elephant sculpture which will be brought to life by an artist’s design. At the end of the project, the sculpture will be auctioned to raise vital funds for the free, ongoing care and support offered by St Richard’s Hospice to people with a serious progressive illness and their loved ones.
Elephant calves, designed and decorated by local schools and community groups, will also be on display in city shops and Crowngate Shopping Centre before being returned to their creators as a lasting memory of the project.
The project builds on the hugely successful Worcester Stands Tall giraffe trail in 2018, which saw giraffe sculptures displayed across the city before raising £210,000 for the hospice at auction.
Sam Uren, Engineering Director at SLC Rail, said: “As a company which brings people from the world of rail together to make projects happen, we are delighted to be part of something which is sure to bring the Worcestershire community together next summer.
“Visiting the county by train is, of course, the perfect way to start and finish the elephant trail, so we hope lots of people will get to experience Worcestershire Parkway; the county’s newest railway station.”
Sara Matthews, Business Development Manager at St Richard’s, said: “We’re delighted that SLC Rail are joining us for next year’s parade.
“One of our key aims of the project is to promote getting out and about on foot to enjoy our beautiful local surroundings. Allowing the train to take the strain en route to Worcester and on your way home helps make a day of it, whether you are local to the county or one of our visitors from much further afield.”
There is still time to sponsor an elephant. To get involved call 01905 763963 and ask for Sara Matthews, email smatthews@strichards.org.uk or visit https://worcestersbigparade.co.uk/get-involved/
You can also follow Worcester’s Big Parade at www.facebook.com/WorcestersBigParade www.twitter.com/WorcsBigParade and www.Instagram.com/WorcsBigParade
Worcester’s Big Parade is a Wild in Art event brought to the city by St Richard’s Hospice.
The event is supported by partners Crowngate, Worcester City Council, Worcester Business Improvement District (BID), the Worcester News and BBC Hereford and Worcester.
To find out more, visit www.worcestersbigparade.co.uk
