Artist paints elephant for hospice trail

Alex Echo's elephant design will form part of the trail in 2025

An internationally renowned artist has painted an elephant sculpture that will be placed with 39 others around Leicester to mark the anniversary of a hospice charity.

The Stomp Round Leicester trail, due to begin in July, will celebrate 40 years of LOROS Hospice as well as raising money and awareness of the organisation.

Abstract artist Alex Echo used 40 colours to honour each year the hospice has been open as he painted one of the elephants in Highcross shopping centre on Thursday.

LOROS says Stomp Round Leicester "will be the biggest public art event Leicester has ever seen".

The charity added more information will be coming soon and the trail map will be revealed in early summer 2025 so people can find all 40 elephants.

Mr Echo got involved on behalf of retailer Next, which is supporting the event.

The artist, who has worked with Paul Smith, Paul Weller and Eric Clapton, will also design an elephant ornament and children's pyjamas which the retailer will sell when the trail starts, with profits going towards LOROS.

Explaining his design, Mr Echo said: "I immediately thought of 40 colours to honour each year."

Rob Parkinson, the charity's chief executive, said he was delighted to have the support of Next.

"They are a brilliant Leicester institution who will help bring our 40th anniversary art trail to every community in the city," he said.

“Having an artist of Alex Echo’s reputation is amazing – and we hope he will inspire lots of local artists to get involved and submit their elephant designs too.”