A STORYBOOK star, who is touring the North East this summer, can put his feet up in comfort after being presented with his own, customised armchair.
Ahead of Elmer’s Great North Parade, the 11-week long public art trail which starts on 21 August, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant has taken to the road to meet organisations and families across the region.
Now, Sunderland-based ScS, one of the UK’s leading furniture and flooring specialists, has commissioned a special armchair, upholstered in Elmer’s distinctive, brightly coloured patchwork squares, so he can sit pretty between engagements.
The business is also sponsoring one of the 50 elephant sculptures which will make up the trail, organised and in support of St Oswald’s Hospice.
And trail followers who visit the ScS-sponsored Elmer at the seafront at Seaburn and register their visit on the Elmer’s Great North Parade app will be in with a chance of winning an identical version of the patchwork chair.
“It has been specially made for us by Lebus, one of the largest manufacturers of UK upholstery, with whom we work very closely,” said ScS corporate services director, Marie Liston, who is chairman of St Oswald’s Hospice and has been a voluntary member of the team there for more than 20 years.
“A chair like this would retail for hundreds of pounds but, of course, it is impossible to put a value on this as it is a completely bespoke design and only two have been made.”
Along with accompanying Elmer on his pre-trail travels, the chair will take pride of place within a pop-up park, at Sunderland’s Market Square from 22 to 26 July.
The pop-up is the brainchild of Sunderland BID, which will be running a packed programme of art and craft workshops, lawn games, storytelling and dance performances throughout the summer.
“We have some really exciting things planned,” said Sharon Appleby, head of business operations at Sunderland BID.
“And not only will shoppers be able to take a break, enjoy the good weather and enjoy a range of activities, but the BID’s Elmer sculpture will also be on show once the Great North Parade officially starts.”
For more information about the full pop-up park entertainment programme visit www.sunderlandbid.co.uk
For more information about Elmer’s Great North Parade visit www.greatnorthelmer.co.uk or follow the trail on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #greatnorthelmer.