1 week Ago
Stampede by the Sea is a collaboration between local charity Weldmar Hospicecare and public art trail producer Wild in Art. The initiative has seen more than 50 elephants, all painted by talented artists, on display around Bridport, West Bay, Lyme Regis, and surrounding areas. The elephant sculptures are being placed across the area to create a fun and free art trail that will be accessible to all over eight weeks.
Families can follow the trail with a map or mobile app. It was officially launched on Friday of last week and just a day later, one of the elephants was reported damaged. The vandalised elephant (Image: Stampede by the Sea) James O'Neill, from the Stampede by the Sea team at Weldmar Hospicecare, said: "We have had an overwhelmingly positive reaction from local people to the elephant sculptures appearing this weekend across Bridport, West Bay and Lyme Regis.
The vandalised elephant (Image: Stampede by the Sea) “It's wonderful to hear all of the joy that they have brought so far, but it is disappointing to see that there has been damage caused by some individuals, especially considering the many hours put in by the artists who created them, and by the Weldmar team who has spent almost two years arranging the event. Launch of Stampede by the Sea at West Bay in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare (Image: Graham Hunt Photography) “Stampede by the Sea is raising money for the provision of specialist end of life care for local people by Weldmar Hospicecare, so these mindless and careless actions could directly affect this, at a time when fundraising is extremely challenging. “Thankfully, we have a very skilled team on hand who will be working on making these as good as new wherever possible, so they can be enjoyed by all over the next eight weeks.
" However, despite the vandalism, both locals and visitors to Dorset are loving the trail with many taking to social media to share their ‘love’ for the elephants, branding the scheme ‘fabulous,’ and saying that they are ‘brightening up the area.’ Launch of Stampede by the Sea at West Bay in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare (Image: Graham Hunt Photography) Their aim is to raise essential funds for Weldmar Hospicecare. The sculptures will be auctioned off at the trail's end by Duke's Auctioneers, with proceeds supporting the charity’s integral work providing end-of-life care across Dorset.
Launch of Stampede by the Sea at West Bay in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare (Image: Graham Hunt Photography) As reported, Weldmar is set to lose £400,000 in NHS funding this April. Launch of Stampede by the Sea at West Bay in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare (Image: Graham Hunt Photography) Weldmar Hospicecare is a charity that provides specialist end-of-life care for people in Dorset with life-limiting illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and Motor Neurone Disease. The charity provides care in the comfort of patients' own homes, in the community, and at their inpatient unit in Dorchester.
Launch of Stampede by the Sea (Image: Graham Hunt Photography) Weldmar aims to improve the quality of life for these people by providing relief from pain and other distressing symptoms, enabling patients to live as actively as possible and ensuring loved ones can cope throughout the patient’s illness. For more information about Stampede by the Sea and to download the app visit https://stampedebythesea.org/.
