Pupils from Holbrook Primary School had a 'hoot' learning more about St Elizabeth Hospice and the upcoming Big Hoot Ipswich 2022 art trail, in a special assembly this March.

As part of the school's involvement in the hospice's 'Little Hoot' education programme, Fiona Ginn, Development Fundraiser at the hospice, visited the school to host an engaging assembly for the youngsters featuring an interactive quiz about the hospice and the service it provides as well as revealing the school's Little Hoot' statue to the children.

Through Holbrook Primary School's involvement in the 'Little Hoot', the school has joined many other local schools in pledging to raise a minimum of £695 for the hospice, while they have also received a blank 'Little Hoot' sculpture to decorate and a resource pack linked to the curriculum to help teachers stimulate young minds.

With all the decorated Little Hoots set to come together at the Suffolk Show for the pupils and their families to be able to see under one roof and admire the great work.

Fiona Ginn, whose daughter Hope, is a pupil at Holbrook primary, said: "It was lovely to come and see the pupils and let them know a little bit about what the hospice does and also explain how they can help make the Big Hoot Ipswich 2022 the best hospice art trail yet.

"We cannot wait to see the fantastic, imaginative ideas and designs that all the schools, participating in the Little Hoot, will come up with and we know for certain they will look 'owl-tastic' when they are displayed at the Suffolk Show later this year."

As well as working for the hospice, Fiona, like many people in the Suffolk community, has a personal connection to the care provided by the charity. With her husband having received support from the hospice until his death aged 29-years-old, in 2017, from leukaemia. After having been initially diagnosed in July 2016, only three months after the birth of Hope.

"I have seen first-hand the amazing care, the hospice staff give to families and patients during very difficult times in their lives," explained Fiona.

"Community support from local people, businesses and organisations, such as local schools, makes such a difference to the hospice as it continues to develop its services to support more people in our local community and I am really pleased Holbrook Primary School is giving its support through the 'Little Hoot'."

Chris Perry, headteacher at Holbrook Primary School said: ""We are delighted to be involved in the 'Little Hoot' and 'Big Hoot' this year and support such an important charity. We wish St Elizabeth Hospice all the best for this year's fundraising and all look forward to following the trail of owls soon."

The Little Hoot education programme is running alongside the Big Hoot and has seen many schools and youth groups in Suffolk signing up to be inspired and get creative as part of the art trail.

The Big Hoot Ipswich 2022 is the third art trail brought to Ipswich by St Elizabeth Hospice in partnership with creative producers Wild in Art, following the success of Pigs Gone Wild 2016 and Elmer's Big Parade Suffolk 2019.

As part of the Big Hoot 2022, 50 ornately decorated owl sculptures will be scattered throughout Ipswich, between 19th June and 3rd September, as part of the biggest free art event in Suffolk which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the town.

For more information about the Big Hoot 2022 go to thebighoot.co.uk