If you were in Belfast city centre any time during the last ten weeks, you cannot have failed to see the herd of fantastic colourful and uniquely decorated Elmer elephant sculptures.
It was all part of the free and family friendly Big Belfast Trail, which is now drawing to a close this coming weekend, with a final chance to say goodbye to Elmer.
But did you know there was a serious reason behind the family fun?
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The event was organised by the Northern Ireland Hospice as a vital fundraiser to support its work providing palliative care for adults, children and infants with life-threatening and life-limiting illness.
One of those providing that caring work is Nurse Specialist Phil Entwistle. The married father-of-four from Portadown has been based within NI Hospice's Down/Lisburn team since 2007.
He told Belfast Live. about his background and what a typical day is like for a Community Nurse.
"I did my nursing training in Edinburgh and always wanted to work in Palliative Care even from then. I worked in Haematology in Belfast City Hospital and completed my Specialist Practice in Palliative Care before I then applied to NI Hospice.
"A 'typical' working day involves visiting patients with a Palliative Care diagnosis in their own homes and helping to manage their symptoms such as pain and nausea. I also work closely with and provide psychological support to the patient and their families."
Phil added: "The most satisfying part of my job is being able to help patients and their families at what is one of the most stressful times in their lives.
"The most challenging part of my role is trying to provide the best possible care and support when so many people are requiring our service."
Elmer's Big Belfast Trail launched on June 20, part of a collaboration between NI Hospice, Wild in Art and Andersen Press that saw David McKee's popular children's character Elmer the Patchwork Elephant brought to life.
The project saw the elephants placed at key landmarks around Belfast for ten weeks. At the end of it all, the Elmers will be auctioned off to the public in order to raise much needed funds for the Hospice.
One of the Elmers on the trail was especially designed to celebrate it being 21 years since the opening of the Children's Hospice at Horizon House.
The trail also featured a Learning Herd, made up of 30 ‘Young Elmer’ sculptures, each designed and painted by local schools and youth organisations from across Northern Ireland.
If you missed any of the Elmers out on the trail and want to see all the sculptures under one roof in an accessible location, then this is your last chance.
You can join all 70 large and small Elmer sculptures for Elmer’s Big Belfast Trail Celebratory Farewell Weekend at 2 Royal Avenue (the old Tesco building beside Primark) from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th September to say your very own special goodbye.
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