Oscar winner backs hospice's public art trail

An Oscar-winning artist and illustrator has backed a hospice's free public art trail that will be held over the summer to raise funds and awareness.

Charlie Mackesy, who won an Academy Award for short animated feature The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse in 2023, will design and hand-paint an elephant for Thames Hospice's Trunks Across the Thames appeal.

It will run from 13 July until 13 September between Windsor and Slough, with about 30 unique models of large elephants positioned alongside the river.

Mackesy said the hospice in Maidenhead was a "compassionate and vital part of many lives, giving dignified end-of-life care to patients and their families so they never feel alone".

He added: "They offer kindness, comfort, hope and connection - my favourite things - and need support, which is why I am happy to play a part in their Trunks across the Thames summer art trail."

Mackesy's elephant will be unveiled at the Royal Windsor Flower Show, which has a partnership with the hospice, on 6 June.

Other artists including Alec Saunders, Luke Crump and Jess Garrett will design and paint other elephants for the trail.

Rachael de Caux, the hospice's chief executive, said it was "incredibly honoured and thrilled" with Mackesy's involvement.

"His work has touched millions of people across the world, offering compassion and ensuring that no one feels alone, qualities that are so deeply aligned with the care we provide every day here.

"Trunks across the Thames will raise vital funds, but just as importantly, it will raise awareness, break down taboos, and show that hospice care is here for everyone, at every stage of life's journey.

"We hope this trail inspires compassion, dialogue, and a deeper understanding of what it really means to care for one another."