First hare in St Elizabeth Hospice’s Hop To It! trail named by Amelie and Noah Dorman

Two children have named the first of many sculptures set to be dotted around Ipswich next summer as part of an art trail.

Amelie Dorman, nine, and Noah Dorman, four, whose father James was under the care of St Elizabeth Hospice before his death from bowel cancer in 2022, submitted a list of names for its Hop To It! trail, set to bounce into town in June 2025.

All the names were polled, with Skye being voted the firm favourite among charity volunteers.

For the Hop To It! trail, 38 ornately decorated hares dotted around the town, with smaller trails in Woodbridge, Felixstowe, Beccles and Lowestoft.

It follows The Big Hoot trail from 2022, which saw colourful owls placed around Ipswich.

Mum Claire Dorman, of Woodbridge, is an avid supporter of St Elizabeth Hospice.

She said the family were touched to have been asked to name the first hare.

They felt lucky to have been invited to take part in the 2025 trail from the beginning. she said.

“The children chose the name Skye due to the sky-like painting on the sculpture,” Claire said.

“I’m so proud of Amelie and Noah, they understand how well the hospice took care of their Daddy and how well they continue to look out for us as a family.”

Claire told of the fond memories the family had regarding Elmo’s Big Parade, the art trail from 2019.

This concluded at the town hall with a splash in the fountains, she said.

“They are passionate in their support of the hospice in the same way that I am,” Claire added.

Celia Joseph, community and partnerships fundraising manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, thanked the children for naming the first hare.

St Elizabeth Hospice was keen to hear from businesses, local organisations, schools or individuals who are interested in supporting the art trail as a volunteer, she said.

Celia added: “Skye is the perfect name for our first hare.

“We cannot wait for the trail to fully start in 2025.”