Sponsor a sculpture for Parade of Bicycles

The world-famous cycle race will travel through the Larne borough on Saturday, May 10, and the local authority is planning 12 days of activities to mark the once-in-a-lifetime event.

One of the projects that has been organised is the Parade of Bicycles – similar to the Parade of Cows, one of the largest and most successful public art event in the world

Standard PVC cycling sculptures will be given to local artists, local secondary schools and groups to decorate.

And the council hopes local businesses will help sponsor the project.

The finished bicycle sculptures will go on display in various locations in Larne Borough from April - June.

They will be situated along the Giro d’Italia route from Carnlough to Islandmagee. A number will be placed within Larne town centre.

This will create a special bicycle parade art trail for residents and visitors to the borough.

When the outdoor exhibition has finished, these sculptures will be auctioned off to raise funds for Oxfam Ireland, the official charity of the Giro d’Italia 2014.

A council spokeswoman said: “In sponsoring an individual bicycle, businesses will have their name on a plaque which will be placed on the sculpture and their business will be credited within the art trail.

“We also hope to generate publicity for the project and businesses can use this as an opportunity to promote themselves during the lead up to the Giro d’Italia and further at the auction of the sculptures.”

The spokesman added: “There are two sponsorship options. Firstly, when you sponsor a bike sculpture for £400, it will remain in council ownership and will be auctioned with all proceeds going to Oxfam, the official charity partner to the Giro d ’Italia event.

“Alternatively, you can sponsor a sculpture for £600 and you will retain ownership of the sculpture.

“A total of £200 of this sponsorship money will go to Oxfam.

“We welcome applications from anyone – companies, shops, accommodation providers, other businesses, individuals and philanthropists.”

The council currently has 20 bicycles which can be sponsored.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a bicycle sculpture can get in touch with the council on 028 28 263047 or email [email protected]