York’s first character trail will begin this weekend (2-3 March), with an exciting range of activity taking place across the city to kickstart the arrival of 21 Snooks in the city.

As part of the York Literature Festival at York Explore on Museum Street, York Fostering Service and York Mumbler will be hosting a series of sessions and activities from partners across the city in a fun and tailored launch weekend programme of activities. Just a little further out of the city centre, Delta Hotels by York Marriott and Little Vikings (York for Kids) are hosting a live doodling of their jointly sponsored Snook with Croyden-based artist Frankie Curtis.

Saturday (2nd) will also see York Roast Co announce some exciting giveaways at St Sampsons Square, the chance to learn more about St Leonard’s Hospice on Parliament Street, and watch as Art of Protest Projects host two workshops with The Island teaching young people spray paint art skills.

Organised by Make It York with charity partner St Leonard’s Hospice, 21 Snooks will be hiding amongst the historic cobbled streets and secret gardens of York for residents and visitors to find between March and April.

Each Snook will unveil a mystery letter that will form a password to unlock secret prizes on the Visit York website.

The Snooks have been designed by Yorkshire artist Sian Ellis and each sculpture has been sponsored by local businesses, with some being joint sponsored, and paired with artists across the UK to decorate their individual Snooks.

For more information and a full list of sculptures, locations and sponsors, please visit the website or download the Snook Trail Map here.

ENDS

For more information, contact:

Helen Williams, Corporate Partnerships Development Lead at St Leonards Hospice, helen.williams146@nhs.net

Brittany Guymer, Communications & Marketing Executive at Make It York, comms@makeityork.com

Notes to Editors:

Pictured is Kerry, Hospice@Home care assistant (right) and Laura, deputy sister on the St Leonard’s Hospice in-patient unit.

About Make It York

Make It York’s purpose is to develop and promote the city and its surroundings – nationally and internationally – as a vibrant and attractive place to live, visit, study, work and do business. Its mission is to grow the economic prosperity and wider wellbeing of York and its citizens. In practice, this means delivering a range of projects and programmes based around our corporate strategic priorities. These are: City positioning and profile-raising; Ensuring an exciting city centre; Delivering the city’s ground-breaking Cultural Strategy.

About St Leonard’s Hospice

St Leonard’s Hospice is an independent charity, providing specialist palliative care, and support for local people with life-limiting illnesses. We’re dedicated to providing support tailored to the specific needs of patients, and their families and carers, with a wide range of services offered in a relaxed and friendly environment where care is taken personally.