Schools in Dorset are being encouraged to sign up to a unique learning opportunity as part of an exciting art trail.

Stampede by the Sea is coming to Bridport, West Bay and Lyme Regis next spring and will see 50 brightly decorated elephants dotted across the region for eight weeks from March 2025.

The unique art trail is looking to raise funds for Weldmar Hospicecare, which is organising the event.

Headteachers are now being advised to sign up for one of the remaining limited places in the Stampede by the Sea Learning Programme as they break up for the summer holidays.

READ: Weldmar Hospicecare Stampede by the Sea art trail

​Matt Smith, Chief Operating Officer at Weldmar Hospicecare, says: “Stampede by the Sea provides us with a unique opportunity to engage with all members of our local community, and working with schools and community groups is something that we are excited to deliver.

“Whilst following the trail to see all of the brightly coloured elephants will be a brilliant thing to do, there is a far deeper meaning to what we’re doing: opening up conversations about dying and the bereavement process.

"Often when children are involved, these vital conversations do not take place – we want that to change and ensure that art-based learning can help with tackling the ‘elephant in the room’."

Each participating school receives their own ‘Baby Elephant’ to design and paint and will be included on the trail, and will be theirs to keep afterwards.

Not only is there a stimulating creative benefit for youngsters, but Weldmar will also provide training to teachers in supporting children experiencing grief and loss, as well as resources linked to physical and mental health, and citizenship.

READ: First Wessex joins Stampede by the Sea west Dorset art trail

This news comes as the Dorset charity, which looks after terminally ill people across the county, has announced that Wessex Internet has become the project’s Learning Programme partner, supporting the rollout of the resources that will be shared with participating schools and youth organisations.

Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO of Wessex Internet, says: “We’re hugely excited to be part of Stampede by the Sea: it’s a great opportunity for us to support Weldmar, a charity that provides critical care to so many residents across our Dorset coverage area.

"The art trail struck us as a fantastic opportunity to enable the showcasing of a wide range of artists’ and schools’ work, while encouraging families to engage with the charity in a fun and dynamic way.

“In particular, we decided to become Learning Programme partner because we wanted to assist Weldmar to make a long-term impact through their scheme providing essential training and materials for schools. This will help teachers to guide young people through difficult periods of their life, such as a bereavement or terminal illness in the family."

For any schools who wish to apply for the remaining places on the programme they can do so at stampedebythesea.org, or by calling 01305 261800