Banking and Finance

High street bank backs elephant auction

30 large elephants and one calf will go under the hammer at the auction led by auctioneer Philip Serrell, best known for appearing on TV shows such as Bargain Hunt and Flog It!

A high street bank has backed an upcoming auction of elephant sculptures – set to raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice

Barclays is supporting the auction of 31 elephants, the finale to the city’s summer art trail, Worcester’s Big Parade.

St Richard’s Hospice – which has brought the trail to the city – will raise money for its care for patients with serious progressive illnesses and their loved ones at the auction on October 14.

Maria Gardner, Head of Support Team at Barclays based in Worcester, said: “Barclays has a strong relationship with the hospice and sponsored its giraffe trail auction three years ago which we found really rewarding.

“With a team of local business managers and relationship directors across the county, working within the local community, it seemed a natural fit to once again support a campaign which strikes a chord with so many people across the county.”

Taking place at DRPG in Hartlebury, the auction will be led by auctioneer Philip Serrell, best known for appearing on TV shows such as Bargain Hunt and Flog It!

All 30 of the large elephants and one, special ‘Spark-Ele’ calf sculpture will be auctioned – while the remaining 35 calves will be returned to the schools and groups which decorated them.

The reserve for each sculpture is expected to start from £3,000 with all proceeds raised supporting the hospice.

Sara Matthews, Business Development Manager for St Richard’s Hospice, said: “We’re thrilled to have the support of Barclays once again and we look forward to enjoying the auction night with the team, with bidders able to join us in person or from the comfort of their own sofas via a livestream.

“After a challenging time for many charities during the pandemic, we hope to see some competitive bidding from prospective buyers, helping us to continue to be there for patients and their loved ones when they need us.”

To find out more about the auction, which can be joined in person or via livestream, visit https://worcestersbigparade.co.uk/auction/.

Worcester’s Big Parade is a Wild in Art project, brought to the city by St Richard’s Hospice. It is supported by partners Crowngate, Worcester City Council, Worcester Business Improvement District (BID), DRPG, West Midland Safari Park, the Worcester News and BBC Hereford & Worcester.

To find out more, visit www.worcestersbigparade.co.uk.

You can also follow Worcester’s Big Parade at www.facebook.com/WorcestersBigParade, www.twitter.com/WorcsBigParade and www.Instagram.com/WorcsBigParade.

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