Farleigh Hospice is looking for businesses and artists to be part of the charity’s new fundraising event.
Next summer, Farleigh will be bringing the ‘Buzz in the City’ sculpture art trail to the streets and parks of Chelmsford. A swarm of 40 large, colourful bee sculptures will be installed outside places of interest around the city centre for 10 weeks.
Farleigh provides specialist hospice care and support, free of charge, to people affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement across mid Essex. After the trail closes, the bees will be sold at auction to raise money for the charity.
Buzz in the City is expected to attract thousands of local residents and visitors to Chelmsford to follow the trail and admire the brilliant bees. Each sculpture will be designed and decorated by an artist and can be sponsored by businesses, with their details clearly visible to all on its plinth and on the art trail’s map, mobile app, social media and website.
Pauline Harvey-Jones, Farleigh’s Commercial Director, said, “Farleigh Hospice is delighted to be working with Chelmsford For You – the City’s Business Improvement District – to create Buzz in the City with the support of Chelmsford City Council.
“We want to hear from businesses across Essex and beyond who would like to sponsor one of our brilliant bee sculptures and talented artists who would like to design and decorate them. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of this exciting high-profile event that presents your company’s details or your unique design to a huge audience of potential new customers, while showing your support for local hospice care.”
Businesses are encouraged to contact Farleigh now as there are a limited number of sponsorship opportunities. Interested artists should request an information pack and can submit their designs by 31 January 2025.
Schools, youth organisations, care homes and community groups can also take part in Buzz in the City with their own ‘mini bee’ sculpture to design, decorate and name. It will be part of the swarm displayed around Chelmsford and then returned to them to keep at the end of the trail. There will only be a limited number of mini bees made, so sign up early and no later than 28 February 2025.
To find out more about sponsoring or designing a sculpture and owning a mini bee, email arttrail@farleighhospice.org or go to www.buzzinthecity.co.uk.