The local builders’ merchant helped deliver 31 beautifully painted elephants to all corners of Luton for the biggest brightest outdoor public art event Bedfordshire has ever seen.

Fourteen staff from Gibbs & Dandy have pulled together to deliver 31 beautifully painted elephants to all corners of Luton for the biggest brightest outdoor public art event Bedfordshire has ever seen.

Alongside volunteers from Keech Hospice Care and local businesses Arriva the Shires, and Ryebridge Construction, they ensured the brightly coloured elephants were delivered to streets, parks and public spaces across Luton.

The Luton branch team coordinated logistics and distribution, from using the Gibbs & Dandy warehouse to fix the concrete plinths to the elephant structures, to rallying the team and the use of 11 lorries to deliver the elephants to the homes they will occupy for the remainder of the summer.

The Big Trunk Trail which runs until Friday 9 October is being bought to the town by Keech Hospice Care to celebrate its 30th anniversary and to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the charity’s work over the years.

The Trail, coordinated by public art events organisation Wild in Art, comprises of 31 life size elephant structures painted by local artists, and 40 baby elephants painted by local schools.

All volunteers worked tirelessly together for two days in the run up to the delivery day to prepare the elephant structures for their adventure. Before deliveries commenced Gibbs & Dandy hosted a private VIP viewing in branch with Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss.

Stuart Wells, Luton Branch Manager, said: “Logistically this was a massive operation for us. There were many layers to consider as part the process including Highways England restrictions which we had to take into account when mapping out a delivery plan, however we were determined to make it happen whichever which way we could.”

To Gibbs & Dandy staff who had worked out of hours to deliver the elephants, Wells offered to pay overtime hours, but staff refused, instead generously requesting that the money be donated to Keech Hospice Care, totalling in excess of £750.

Wells added: “I am so proud of my team for its hard work and dedication to this project. Everyone knows someone who has been touched by this special charity, so to see everybody pulling together to fill the streets with these beautifully decorated works of art was a such a joy. Every delivery gave us a real buzz and the team did a fantastic job, working out of hours and putting in over time to complete all the deliveries."

“Whilst delivering in Wardown Park, people stopped to watch the elephants be unloaded. I said to one little girl, do you think elephants can fly? She replied no, so I said watch this. Our driver then hoisted the elephant in the air using our crane to offload it and put in place on the floor, her face was a picture.

“It was a real honour to be part of such a magical event for this special cause, and one I will never forget having been a part of.”