STUDENTS’ ROCKET DESIGN PROJECT CLEARED FOR TAKE OFF

Caption: Students rocket designs displayed around Leicester for LOROS art event

Students from North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) will get the chance to have their designs showcased as part of a ten-week outdoor art trail around Leicester during the summer of 2021.

LOROS Hospice is working with leading art event producers Wild in Art to create Rocket Round Leicester, the biggest art event the city has ever seen. Students will compete to have their designs come to life on mini rocket sculptures due to be installed around the city as part of the Rocket Trail whilst raising money for LOROS.

The scheme will also feature 40 giant rocket sculptures designed by professional artists as part of a spectacular trail that will take visitors to the city’s top spots on a free outdoor art exhibition. NWSLC’s sponsorship of four of the smaller rockets, known as the Junior Jets, will enable art and design students to compete in a ‘Dragons’ Den’ style pitch to secure their very own design commission.

The Midland Academies Trust is sponsoring four additional Junior Jets enabling pupils from its four schools, The George Eliot School, The Nuneaton Academy, Hartshill School in Nuneaton and Heath Lane Academy in Earl Shilton, to compete for a design platform.

Students will pitch their ideas in February 2021 and the winners will have until June 2021 to work on their designs and create their sculptures. The Junior Jets will be installed at key points on the trail in Leicester ready for the launch in July 2021.

Carrie-Anne Abdulai, Director for Higher Education and Access to Higher Education Provision for NWSLC said, “We’re delighted to be supporting this project which is designed to give the city of Leicester a tourism boost while raising money for LOROS at the same time.

“For our students, it is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of a live commercial project in which they will need to develop some highly creative ideas, compete against their peers, meet real deadlines, and deliver against their objectives.”

Rocket Round Leicester is anticipated to attract around 300,000 people adding £6 million to the city’s economy and contributing to its post-pandemic recovery.

John Knight, LOROS Hospice CEO, said: “Rocket Round Leicester will be the biggest and most exciting art project ever seen in Leicester. It will bring fun, colour, and creativity to the city all for a brilliant cause. I’d like to urge everyone, local people, schools, community organisations and local businesses to get involved and be part of something amazing for the city of Leicester.”

LOROS Hospice is inviting businesses and other organisations to pledge their support to enjoy the benefits sponsorship can bring, whilst also supporting a well-loved charity.