The first sculpture in next year's art trail set to sweep across Suffolk has been named.

Hop to it! Suffolk, the art trail organised by Ipswich's St Elizabeth Hospice, has revealed the name of its first hare as Skye. 

Next year's trail will feature 38 decorated hare sculptures dotted around Ipswich, but also in towns like Beccles, Felixstowe, Lowestoft and Woodbridge for the first time.

Hop to it! Suffolk took over Ipswich Town Hall in JuneHop to it! Suffolk took over Ipswich Town Hall in June (Image: St Elizabeth Hospice)

Skye was named by Amelie and Noah Dorman, aged 9 and 4, whose father James was receiving care from St Elizabeth Hospice before he lost his battle to cancer in 2022. 

Since then, Claire Dorman, his wife and mother to Amelie and Noah, has been a huge supporter of the hospice - fundraising at its annual midnight walk and giving speeches about the work it does at the launch of Hop to it! Suffolk earlier this year. 

Amelie and Noah next to SkyeAmelie and Noah next to Skye (Image: St. Elizabeth Hospice)

She said: “We were so touched to be asked to name the first hare for the 2025 trail. The children chose the name Skye due to the sky-like painting on the sculpture.

Suffolk will be overrun with hares next yearSuffolk will be overrun with hares next year (Image: St Elizabeth Hospice)

“I’m so proud of Amelie and Noah, they understand how well the hospice took care of their daddy and how well they continue to look out for us as a family.

“We feel so lucky to have been a part of the 2025 trail from the beginning."

Hop to it! follows on from the success of previous trails like Pigs Gone Wild, Elmer's Big Parade and the Big Hoot, which have each brought people into the town to check out the colourful creations.

The trail is in collaboration with Wild in Art The trail is in collaboration with Wild in Art (Image: St Elizabeth Hospice)

Created in partnership with Wild in Art, the art project will see 38 ornately decorated hare sculptures placed in the county, featuring a range of designs.

Celia Joseph, community and partnerships fundraising manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Thank you to Amelie and Noah - Skye is the perfect name for our first hare. We cannot wait for the trail to fully start in 2025."