Jumbo sponsorship in Plymouth far from 'peanuts'

Co-operative Funeralcare homes across Plymouth have sponsored an Elmer in the city’s mammoth sculpture trail, in a bid to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth.

Elmer’s Big Parade Plymouth features 40 large Elmer sculptures each painted by talented artists and 25 ‘Young Elmers’ designed and decorated by participating local schools.

It is estimated that the trail is set to attract over 200,000 visitors to the city and its surrounding areas and boost the economy by £5m, making it Devon and Cornwall’s biggest mass-participation event for 2019.

Co-op Funeralcare’s sponsored Elmer, Sun Bright Day and Star Light Night, is situated on the Barbican and was designed by renowned local artist, Kate Andrew.

Kate is a self-taught artist using beautiful acrylics on canvas and Cornish slate. Her unique style usually includes British wildlife, aiming to inspire viewers of her art and often includes a quote in her paintings to enhance the theme.

Jennifer Fearon, Co-op Funeralcare’s Regional Operations Manager in Plymouth and Cornwall comments: “We’ve worked with and supported St Luke’s for quite a few years, so we jumped at the chance to be part of the Elmer trail!”

“We hope that people across the city will come out over the summer and get involved in the campaign to support St Luke’s. There are also prizes available for some lucky individuals to make it even more special, which include £125 Cooperative food vouchers.

Katharine Haley, Senior Funeral Director for Plymouth and Cornwall, comments: “We couldn’t wait to play a part in the Elmer trail as soon as we heard about it. It also helps to tackle the ‘elephant in the room’ as the message behind the trail is such an important one, aiming to tackle the stigma around death, dying and bereavement.

“We chose our particular elephant because we thought it visualised what Funeralcare stands for, how each life is individual and the importance of continuing that on into a person's funeral.

The words on the Elmer, particularly 'simple moments make perfect memories', really resonated with us as we think it’s important people remember the simple things in life.

“We hope that by sponsoring the Elmer it will give people something to start their own conversations about planning for the future and enable them to approach us, should they want to, in a different environment.”

Commercial Director at St Luke's Hospice Plymouth, Mike Dukes comments: “We wouldn’t have been able to deliver Elmer’s Big Parade Plymouth without the backing of sponsors like Co-operative Funeralcare.

“Such a huge name signing up gives us extra impetus to make a difference to our patients and their families whether that is generating awareness of hospice care or raising vistal funds when each of the 40 sculptures are auctioned off in October.”

With over 1,000 funeral homes across the UK, the Co-op Funeralcare colleagues are passionate about delivering a sensitive, caring and professional service for families within their community.

Thanks to Co-op's 1% scheme, a total of £19m has been raised for key local causes across the UK since November 2017.

For more information on your local Co-op Funeralcare home, visit www.co-operativefuneralcare.co.uk or talk to the team in Crownhill by calling 01752 303 830.

The Elmer trail concludes September 16th with a ‘Farewell Weekend’ October 4/5/6 where all the Elmers will be returned to ‘Herd HQ’ on Western Approach, ahead of the Grand Auction October 9, which will raise vital funds for St Luke’s which cost over £7 million a year to operate. For more information on the initiative, please visit www.elmerplymouth.co.uk