Eighty sculptures of Aardman’s famous Gromit, each five feet high, have been unveiled as part of Gromit Unleashed – a ground-breaking public art exhibition sponsored by Burges Salmon and dozens of other leading UK organisations.
Spearheaded by Aardman, the trail of giant Gromits will animate the city of Bristol for ten weeks between 01 July and 08 September this year, with the aim of raising funds for Bristol Children’s Hospital charity, Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal.
Each sculpture has been individually decorated by an eclectic mix of well-known and local artists, designers and celebrities and will be auctioned later this year to help support the expansion of Bristol Children’s Hospital. High profile names involved include Cath Kidston, Raymond Briggs, Paul Smith, Harry Hill, Jools Holland and Joanna Lumley.
Yet while 79 of the sculptures are Bristol-based, one Gromit has been unleashed further than most! The ‘Classic Gromit’ painted by Aardman is recognisable from all the famous Wallace & Gromit animated adventures. Sponsored by Burges Salmon, this particular Gromit is located at London’s Paddington train station. He can be found between platforms 8 and 9 and visitors do not need a travel ticket in order to access the sculpture.
Burges Salmon’s managing partner, Peter Morris, says: “Given our firm’s strong presence in both Bristol and London, we jumped at the opportunity to sponsor the only Gromit to be unleashed on the city of London this year. He will help raise awareness of this exciting project among visitors to London and encourage as many people as possible to visit Bristol to take part in the main trail this summer.
“We have worked closely with the Grand Appeal for a number of years and in 2012 this fantastic cause was the firm’s Charity of the Year. This saw our lawyers and staff skydiving, climbing, cycling, baking and even ballroom dancing to raise money – reaching a total of more than £84,000.
“Becoming a founding sponsor of Gromit Unleashed was the perfect way for us to continue our support for the charity. This unique art trail has attracted attention not just across the UK but internationally too and we feel privileged to be a part of it and to continue working with the dedicated team at Grand Appeal.”
The Grand Appeal has pledged to raise an initial £3.5 million for state-of-the-art equipment, including an intraoperative MRI scanner, family facilities and child-friendly artwork. Founded in 1995, the Appeal has raised over £21 million towards the first purpose built children’s hospital in the UK and continues to support by funding pioneering medical care and equipment, arts, music and play programmes and accommodation for the sickest children and their families.
If you would like to explore the Gromit Unleashed trail this summer visit the Gromit Unleashed website where you can access a full location map or interactive phone app – as well as information on where you can buy a range of Gromit merchandise.