Charity’s ram bringing hope to Derby Ram Trail visitors

The artist behind Treetops Hospice’s ram at this summer’s Derby Ram Trail has said she feels privileged that her artwork is “sparking conversations about bereavement and hope” among visitors.

The five-foot-tall ram is among 30 dotted around the city centre as part of the trail, each of which have been sponsored by either a business, organisation or charity.

Duffield-based artist Lynne Hollingsworth, named the hospice’s ram ‘Memories Fade but Warmth Remains’, decorating it with flowers and butterflies, which she says symbolises renewal and the life cycle.

According to Lynne, the Treetops ram, which is located outside Derby Bus Station, has received an overwhelming response, having already been visited by hundreds of people.

Lynne, who is also managing damage control for the ram trail, so visits the rams regularly, said: “The Treetops ram is more than just a painted sculpture.

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“My design has strong motifs and messages surrounding bereavement and hope, and people seem to really get it.

“It’s getting the results I wanted. The ram is helping visitors to open up and have the conversations that they would usually find difficult.

“I feel privileged to be part of the trail, as well as the poignant conversations I’m having with visitors. It’s actually quite emotional.”

Acting chief executive at Treetops, Phil Shreeve, said: “We feel that our ram really represents so much of what Treetops stands for.

“I hope that visitors really do benefit from its fantastic design and helps them to talk more openly about bereavement, while giving them hope, something that we all need, especially following the past 18 months.”

The Derby Ram Trail will continue until 22 August, after which all the rams will be auctioned off to raise cash for Derby Museums.

Tickets have gone on sale for a RamUnion Weekend, planned for 3 to 5 September, which will be an opportunity for members of the public to come and see all the rams together for one last time before they go off to auction.

Tickets are also now available for the auction itself, which will take place on 9 September at the Museum of Making.

Sponsored by Penguin PR, the event, which will also be live-streamed, will be hosted by television personality and auctioneer Charles Hanson.

For more information about the auction, RamUnion Weekend and other trail events, visit www.derbyramtrail.org.