Bristol law firm Barcan+Kirby, sponsor of the Bristol’s Own Gromit sculpture in Queen Square as part of the Grand Appeal charity public art trail, has bolstered its support with a financial donation.
The firm presented a cheque for £1,250 to the Appeal to support its ongoing efforts for the children at Bristol Children’s Hospital. 
The donation also forms part of a campaign inspired by Bristol’s Own – a First World War messenger dog -commemorated by the sculpture – to collect and deliver telegrams of goodwill for children being cared for in hospital.
Families visiting the sculpture – also known as Private Gromit – can post a special message to the youngsters in a box provided by Barcan+Kirby, which has an office in Queen Square. They can even send a direct message via Twitter or email Bristol’s Own directly to get their messages delivered.
The messages will be displayed at Bristol Children’s Hospital when the Gromit Unleashed 2 sculpture trail ends on September 2. The trail features 67 giant sculptures of the Aardman character and his master Wallace designed by high-profile artists.
Grand Appeal corporate partnerships manager Helen Haskell said: “Without the fantastic support of sponsors such as Barcan+Kirby we simply wouldn’t be able to make Gromit Unleashed 2 the success that it is.
“Their commitment to fundraising around their sculpture Bristol’s Own and particularly their telegram initiative is a testament to their engagement with the hospital’s patients and families. These special messages from the community can make a real difference to young patients being cared for in hospital.”
Barcan+Kirby marketing manager Lucy Harttrup said: “We are proud to continue our support for the Grand Appeal, a charity that does excellent work for the children being cared for in hospital.
“Through our Bristol’s Own telegrams campaign, we hope to get as many special messages as possible to those currently being cared for by the Bristol Children’s Hospital. We therefore wish to encourage everyone to either collect a telegram from our office in Queen Square or get in touch via Twitter or email.”
Telegrams can be sent via Twitter to @BristolsOwn or emailed to bristolsown@barcankirby.co.uk and can also be collected from the Barcan+Kirby office at 49/50 Queen Square. Ask for an information pack, which contains a blank telegram and post your message at the post box provided.
Barcan+Kirby has five other offices across Bristol and South Gloucestershire providing advice to individuals and businesses across the South West and nationwide.
Pictured: Maxine Moustrides of the Grand Appeal with the Barcan+Kirby-sponsored Bristol’s Own – or Private Gromit – sculpture in Queen Square
