Echo newspapers is proud to be media partners with Haven Hospices and their world class event, Herd In The City happening in Southend next summer.

Herd In the City will bring together our community to help raise thousands of pounds for the free, specialist hospice care Havens Hospices provides for local adults, children, and their families.

The herd will stomp across the city of Southend, including Shoeburyness and Leigh, for more than eight weeks to form the free outdoor trail for everyone to come and enjoy.

There will be more than 30 giant elephant sculptures, accompanied by mini-herds of baby elephants. Each gentle giant is designed by an artist and sponsored by a business. The mini-herd of baby elephants are designed by local schools and community groups, helping people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy art.

Echo: Creative - youngster painting an elephantCreative - youngster painting an elephant (Image: Havens)

We have been given one baby elephant to place into a design competition solely for our readers. The baby elephant is sponsored by The Community Investment Board.

Sarah Miller, Community Investment board member , said: “The Community Investment Board are delighted to be working with the Echo to support Havens Hospices and to open the opportunity for the competition winners to be part of Herd In The City. We are excited to use this opportunity to deliver our ambition, to enhance the health and wellbeing of local residents whilst supporting the work of Havens Hospices."

It’s simple and fun to enter. All you have to do is use the template to the right to create your design on. Please only use pencils on the newspaper print template. You can design your own baby elephant individually, in pairs or even as a school or group – it’s up to you.

Please upload your entry to www.echo-news.co.uk/herdinthecity or post it to: Herd In The City Design Competition Echo House, Howards Chase, Basildon, Essex SS14 3BE You can also download a baby elephant template by going to www.echo-news.co.uk/herdinthecity Newsquest terms and conditions apply.

Please visit www.newsquest.co.uk/prize-competition-rules For information regarding how we will process, handle and maintain your data please visit www.newsquest.co.uk/privacy-policy One winner will be contacted by telephone to confirm participation. Newsquest will not pass the details contained on entries to any third party other than to facilitate your prize win. Havens Hospices will contact the winner to arrange delivery of the baby elephant sculpture, along with agreements, deadlines, and instructions for its decoration. The baby elephant will be displayed at a location within Southend, Leigh, or Shoeburyness. The decision of the judges will be final.

By entering this competition and winning you consent to being in promotional material and communications including but not limited to Echo Newspaper, social media and website, Herd in The City/Havens Hospices website and social media. Closing date for entries is November 25 2022 Note for all schools: There is an opportunity to join the learning programme for plenty of benefits including the sponsor of your own baby elephant, a curriculum-based learning pack and inclusion across Herd In The City’s website, app, map, events and more. Visit www.herdinthe.city/learning-programme for more details.