Lando Norris-signed elephant helps raise £240k for hospice

An auction of a charity's decorated elephant models from its summer art trail has raised more than £240,000.

The top price of £20,000 was paid for a casting signed by McLaren Formula One racing driver Lando Norris, who signed the constructor's Elenorris model.

Artists, including Oscar-winning author and illustrator Charlie Mackesy, collaborated with Thames Hospice for its Trunks across the Thames project.

The 30 elephants were placed at public locations in Slough and Windsor between July and September.

The Lando Norris elephant was created in memory of Matt Seymour, a McLaren engineer whose wife Jess helped to lead Trunks across the Thames.

Seymour was cared for at the Maidenhead hospice before his death in 2023.

McLaren's first paint apprentices brought the piece to completion, with a jigsaw design symbolising teamwork.

Graffiti artist Bambi and Mackesy were among those who contributed designs for the elephants.

Berkshire landmarks featured on some, including a tribute to the world's first permanent zebra crossing which was installed in Slough in 1951.

Auctioneer Harry Ballin told the saleroom in Old Windsor that Thursday night's event had raised more than £240,000, including additional donations.

Rachael de Caux, the hospice's chief executive, said it "was wonderful to see so many people come together to celebrate the extraordinary generosity that has made this project possible."

On Tuesday, a sale of Peter Rabbit figures from a hospice art trail in Newcastle and North Tyneside reportedly raised £300,000.

In October 2025, an elephant-figure art trail in Leicester fetched more than £286,000.