Northern Ireland

New art trail to mark NI Hospice 21 years of children's care

Pupils from Sunnylands Primary School in Carrickfergus at the launch of the Big Belfast Trail at Titanic Quarter.
Pupils from Sunnylands Primary School in Carrickfergus at the launch of the Big Belfast Trail at Titanic Quarter. Pupils from Sunnylands Primary School in Carrickfergus at the launch of the Big Belfast Trail at Titanic Quarter.

A NEW art trail across Belfast features sculptures based on popular children's book character Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, as part of an initiative by Northern Ireland Hospice.

The Big Belfast Trail launched yesterday, bringing colourful sculptures of the character by the late author David McKee to locations across the city centre.

The initiative is to mark NI Hospice's 21 years of care at its Children's Hospice at Horizon House.

The sculptures - all based on the Elmer character which first appeared in a book published in 1968 - reflect aspects of Belfast's heritage along with themes including environmentalism and diversity.

The trail was launched at Belfast's Titanic Hotel yesterday where NI Hospice chief executive Heather Weir said: "This is the biggest event that the NI Hospice have ever undertaken and it’s huge for Belfast too. I am sure it will delight the whole city.

"As well bringing communities and businesses together for what will be this summer’s feel-good event, the trail will help fund the specialist care which our team provides for local babies, children and young people living with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses.

The trail can be followed through the ElmerBelfast app on the App Store of Google Play, with details also available at www.elmerbelfast.com.

The sculptures were created by the Wild in Art group, whose co-founder Charlie Langhorne said: "The Elmer sculptures are a fantastic spectacle and showcase a wonderful wealth of artistic talent. We hope everyone will enjoy discovering them."