SCHOOL pupils were invited to take part in the Hares of Hampshire public art display by painting their own leveret.
Thirty-six schools took on the project, painting one or more leveret, as part of the art exhibition that is taking place throughout the summer in Winchester and Southampton.
Each participating school raised at least £700 for the Murray Parish Trust, the charity behind the trail.
READ MORE: Hares of Hampshire: 10 sculptures installed in Winchester
The charity supports children’s emergency services by raising money for life-saving equipment.
The Pilgrims’ School for boys, in Winchester, went above and beyond the quota, painting three leverets and raising £8,000 for the charity.
The leverets designed by the school can be found on the high street in the Three Minsters House window.
The Pilgrims’ School for boys, head of art, John Walters oversaw the project with a student committee of year seven and year eight boys choosing from 250 designs.
Mr Walters said: “The feeling from the boys was that given that it’s a public artwork and we’re doing it as a school so it would be nice if it represented us.
“I was absolutely taken with a Year 4’s design which was a really nice surprise. He’d taken the three school colours that represent the three parts of the school. On top of that he then drew one of the distinctive architecture features of the school.”
The school opted for their leveret to be hosted in Winchester so the children could see them easily. All the leveret can be found in groups called ‘droves’ across Winchester and Southampton.
Mr Walters added: “There was a real sense of pride and ownership with the leveret and the project across the whole school.”
The project was proposed to the school by a parent and local property worker George Burnand. The school hosted fundraising events such as a mini fete and a sponsored walk.
After 10 weeks of being on public display, the leveret will return to their designated schools once the trail ends on August 25.
With the exception of three leveret, one designed by charity co-founder Jim Murray, another by the children’s hospital and the original promotional leveret will be sold along with the larger hares at a farewell auction in September.
All proceeds from the auction will go to the Murray Parish Trust.
Around 46 leverets, each just over a metre tall and 1.2 metres in length, can be spotted around Winchester and Southampton using the Hares of Hampshire app.
Hares of Hampshire trail manager, Julie Mountain said: “The reception from the schools was very positive. All the schools that have participated have just been incredible, enthusiastic and committed to it and obviously incredibly creative as well."
To find out more go to haresofhampshire.co.uk/art-trail/.
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