A Worcestershire lighting company is the latest local business to help a hospice art trail shine this summer.

 Thorlux Lighting, which designs, manufactures and supplies professional lighting systems from its Redditch base, is to sponsor an elephant for Worcester's Big Parade. 

One of around 65 elephants, large and small, the fibreglass sculptures will be decorated and displayed in Worcester for eight weeks, forming a parade through city streets, shopping areas and public spaces.

 The art trail will run from Monday 12th July to Sunday 5th September, culminating in an auction where each large sculpture will be sold to raise funds for the free care that St Richard's Hospice provides to patients and their loved ones locally. 

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 St Richard's at auction.

 Craig Muncaster, financial director of Thorlux Lighting, said: "Being a Worcestershire-based company we're very aware of the care that St Richard's provides to patients and families locally and it's a charity which strikes a chord with the team here.

 "When we heard about the elephant parade we thought what better way to support the hospice heroes in our home county and also help deliver a truly brilliant summer event for the whole community to enjoy."

 Sara Matthews, business development manager at St Richard's, said: "We're excited to welcome Thorlux Lighting to the parade as a brand-new sponsor and absolutely love the design that they've chosen to bring to life.  We can't say too much about the elephant artwork until the big reveal but this will definitely be one to look out for!"

Worcester's Big Parade is a Wild in Art event being brought to the city by St Richard's Hospice.  To find out more, visit www.worcestersbigparade.co.uk.