Published on: Thursday, 31 May 2018
Last updated: Thursday, 31 May 2018
An unusual passenger will be boarding Greater Anglia's 10.00 Norwich to London service on Friday 1 June, as “Hare comes the Sun”, a Norwich-themed hare travels to the capital to promote Norwich’s outdoor charity art trail, GoGoHares!
Hare comes the Sun will be waved-off from the platform at Norwich and will then remain at Liverpool Street station for a week to greet commuters, visitors and tourists, before returning to Norwich for the launch of the eleven-week trail on Sunday 24 June.
Hare comes the Sun is one of the 50 hares that will be taking to the streets of Norwich this summer as part of the GoGoHares! charity art trail.
The Norwich Improvement District (BID) hare, will promote this exciting event for Norwich at the major London station, which is the gateway to East Anglia, with a design created by local artist Julia Allum, in a bid to encourage some of the hundreds of thousands of people who pass through London Liverpool Street Station every week to visit Norwich during the summer.
The trail begins on Sunday 24 June and runs for 11 weeks until 8 September. During that time visitors to Norwich can enjoy the delights of many hares featuring characters, patterns and other subjects of local interest.
The variety of designs for the hares has been wide ranging and project manager. Martin Green said he has been overwhelmed with the quality and finish of the hares created, by both local and national artists.
The GoGoHares! Wild in Art trail is being organised by Break, a charity which supports young people in care, children with disabilities, families in need of support and children at risk.
Greater Anglia is also a sponsor of Bittern and Wherry hare - named after the Bittern Line to Cromer and Sheringham, the Wherry Lines to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft and the Community Rail Partnerships that help to promote them – which will be located at Norwich railway station.
Bittern and Wherry has been created and designed by Tom Cringle, and will be the first hare to greet visitors to Norwich.
There are also hares located around the county and taking the train will be a good way to see some of those hares as well as to come and see the trail in Norwich.
Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs for Greater Anglia said: "We're delighted to be able to take Hare comes the Sun to London Liverpool Street on one of our trains to help promote the GoGoHares! outdoor art trail.
“We hope many people will come by train to see the trail in Norwich this summer. Norwich station will be a very appropriate location for the hare we have sponsored - Bittern and Wherry and a good place to start the trail, which will be helping to raise money for Break charity."
Stefan Gurney, Executive Director of Norwich BID said: “Summer 2018 in Norwich is all about hares ruling the city and creating a stir of interest through impressive and impactful art work. GoGoHares! add to the growing vitality of Norwich and Hare comes the Sun will be our ambassador in London in the run-up to the event.”
For more information on Norwich BID visit www.norwichbid.co.uk.
Follow the project's progress by visiting www.gogohares.co.uk and following on Twitter @GoGoHares and Facebook.