Thirty giant elephant sculptures will transform the streets and parks of Slough, Windsor and Eton this summer as Thames Hospice launches its first ever public art trail. The Trunks across the Thames event runs from 13 July to 13 September, placing up to 30 professionally designed elephants alongside about 50 smaller ones created by local schools and community groups.
Each large sculpture has been sponsored by a local business, with names such as Amazon, F Hinds, John Lewis Partners and Next PLC backing individual pieces. The trail is completely free, and a downloadable map guides visitors between the installations while explaining the artists’ inspirations. Wild in Art, which has produced more than 190 similar events worldwide, is partnering with the hospice for the nine-week display.
The elephant was chosen as the symbol for the trail because it represents stability, groundedness and compassion—the same qualities that underpin Thames Hospice’s care for families across East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire. The charity also hopes the sculptures will tackle what it calls “the elephant in the room” by sparking open conversations about death and dying, an issue many people find difficult to discuss. Organisers say the trail will deliver significant economic, social, and cultural benefits to the area while raising awareness of the hospice’s free specialist palliative services.
Running the hospice costs £39,000 every day, and unlike the NHS, it is not fully government funded. The trail therefore carries a serious fundraising purpose. On 15 October, all 30 large sculptures will go under the hammer at a charity auction at De Vere Beaumont Estate, with proceeds going directly to the hospice’s work.
The hero sculpture, named Hope, was designed by Slough tattoo artist Jessica Garrett and weaves together hand-illustrated landmarks from both Slough and Windsor. The project has drawn backing from Slough Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, with senior officials from each council highlighting the trail’s potential to bring visitors and residents together while celebrating local creativity.
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