Horsham set for elephantastic weekend

Herds of colourful and vibrant elephants will be storming the town on Sunday, July 26, as this years Elephantastic Trail is launched in the Carfax.

185 different elephants painted and decorated by more than 100 organisations, schools and businesses across the district will be put on display and paraded around the town in an afternoon packed with fun and festivities.

The event has been organised by Horsham Rotary and is the much anticipated follow up to the very successful Giraffe Trail, held in the town two years ago.

Each elephant has nominated an individual charity to support with 65 different causes being backed in this years campaign.

Animal welfare charity Born Free Foundation is also involved and is partnering the event with the aim of raising funds to help build Europe’s first elephant sanctuary.

John Le Rossignol of the Horsham Rotary Club said: “It amazing.

“The quality is much higher than last time and there are some really fantastic elephants here.

“There are quite a few and hopefully we will see all of them on Sunday.

“The main thing about the event is it is a community event that brings us all together whilst also raising money for local causes.”

Mr Rossignol also thanked PMW Communications for providing this years elephant models.

The afternoon will start at 12.30pm where former children’s presenter Dave Benson Phillips will be entertaining visitors.

The opening ceremony will then commence with speeches from the Chairman of Horsham District Council Tricia Youtan, president of Rotary Great Britain Eve Conway and representatives of PMW communications and the Born Free Foundation before actor Brian Blessed officially launches the trail.

Mrs Youtan said: “It is going to be great for the kids.

“Each elephant is a joy to look at and every single one is in aid of a really worth while charity.

“They are absolutely amazing and we hope it raises a lot of money for these charities.”

After Sunday’s launch the decorated elephants will be spread out across the district into three separate trails.

Members of the public will have five weeks to find these elephants, write down their nicknames and return the list to win prizes including a visit to an elephant orphanage in Nairobi.

Two of the trails will be set in Horsham town centre with the third spread around the beautiful West Sussex countryside including towns and villages such as Billingshurst, Henfield and Mannings Heath.

The competition will close on August 31 and the elephants will then be sold to raise more money for their respective causes.

Maps and entry forms for the competition will be available from participating shops.

Are you going to the elephantastic weekend? Send your pictures and videos to [email protected]

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