Charity says hello to Holly the elephant

NEW FRIEND Claudio Kron and Holly with Amy Ibbotson and Hollybank fundraiser Tracey Gibson.

Claudio Kron has built a 1m tall elephant out of recycled materials and has donated it to the Hollybank Trust.

Brazilian-born Claudio, who has performed all over the world, made the elephant to entertain his children and named it Holly after the Trust, which cares for people with complex disabilities.

He said: “It all began with a huge balloon that we bought from town for £1.

“When we got home we immediately covered the balloon in papier mache and the idea of making it into an elephant popped into my head.

“I had never felt the urge to make an elephant before, it was a first! It has been very enjoyable and pleasing!”

Holly was made from paper cups, cardboard boxes, yogurt tubs, milk cartons, old news papers and glue by Claudio and his children Aruan, 11, Tiano, eight, and Raphael, five.

Claudio said: “For many evenings I got the children to help and they were always eager to offer suggestions.

“After everyone went to bed each night I would do a little bit more and they were able to wake up each day and see the progress as I spent a lot of magical mornings contemplating the transformation of the creature.

“We are so excited by it all and now we plan to use Holly the elephant as a platform to fundraise money to help the Hollybank charity.”

To get the ball rolling, Claudio has organised a coffee morning at Redbrick Mill in Batley, where he has his office. It will take place on Friday June 28, 9am-11am, and Holly is set to appear.

Tracey Gibson, a fundraiser for Hollybank, which is based at Roe Head, Mirfield, said: “We are so grateful to Claudio and his lovely family for all the effort and hard work they have obviously put into Holly the Elephant.

“It is fantastic that he is using her to fundraise on our behalf and they have promised that we can keep it here in one of the children’s homes eventually where the children can enjoy her every day.

“We are touched by their kindness and enthusiasm.”

Claudio, from Dewsbury, is an acclaimed percussionist who has performed at events from the BRIT Awards to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

He has performed on two occasions for the president of his native Brazil and at the Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.

Visit www.claudiokron.com to find out more about Claudio’s work.