Lead Photo by Liz Finlayson/Vervate. L to R: Martlets’ Tanya Hunt, artist Faye Bridgwater with her Sheep ‘Bloom’, Fatboy Slim and Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom
Hundreds of people gathered to cheer on music legend Fatboy Slim – aka Norman Cook – as he completed a half marathon plus sponsored walk along the Shaun by The Sea art trail in Brighton to raise funds for Sussex hospice charity Martlets.
Norman’s ‘Bleat Sleep Graze Repeat’ walk on Wednesday, September 27 saw the superstar DJ and long-standing Martlets ambassador trek the 16-mile route from the Pepperpot in Queens Park to Cook’s own Big Beach Cafe in Hove Lagoon.
The walk took in the majority of the 42 artist-painted Shaun the Sheep sculptures currently on display around Brighton & Hove, including the sculpture sponsored by LGBTQ+ hotspot Legends. Fans and Martlets supporters joined him at various points along the way and donated generously to Martlets. Anyone who wants to support Martlets and Norman Cook can still donate on his Just Giving page online here.
Norman Cook said: “I won’t say it was easy walking 16 miles but it was a tremendous privilege to be able to do it for a charity so close to my heart.
“Martlets plays a huge part in the community by caring for people in their greatest time of need and it’s wonderful to see people showing their support through visiting the Shaun by the Sea trail.
“Brighton & Hove is a city that’s been good to me over the decades. The turnout yesterday and the generosity of the donations makes me even prouder to call it home.”
Shaun by the Sea runs until November 5 and builds on the success of previous Martlets-run art trails Snowdogs and Snailspace, which saw thousands visit the city to spot the sculptures. The trails help to connect people from across the community whilst raising money to enable Martlets to keep caring for people facing the toughest of times.
Tanya Hunt, Director of Income Generation at Martlets, added: “Norman is an incredible ambassador for the Martlets and a big part of the Martlets’ family. We are thrilled that he’s taken such a hands-on approach to fundraising. The money he’s raised – like all the funds raised from these art trails – is so important as it enables Martlets to keep caring for people facing the toughest of times.”
The 42 Shaun sculptures will remain in place for eight weeks until November 5 after which they will be auctioned off to raise funds for Martlets Hospice on Monday, November 27.
A city map showing the location of the flock of sheep sculptures can be found on the Shaun by the Sea mobile app (Apple and Android), as well as online here.
The Shaun by the Sea art trail is brought to the city in association with multi award-winning animation studio Aardman, and Wild in Art, Martlets’ partner for all previous art trails.
For more information about the art trail, CLICK HERE
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