Hop along to the Tyne this summer for a fantastic furry trail around Newcastle.
We’re delighted to again be supporting the great work of St Oswald’s Hospice, a charity which has been supporting people and their families across the North East of England for more than 35 years.
This summer, Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit will be hopping up in streets, parks and public spaces across Newcastle and North Tyneside, bringing colour and joy.
One of the 40 sculptures will be Peter Hoppings, sponsored by Elavon, and designed and decorated by North East artist and graphic designer Sharon Armstrong.
“In the North East of England we call travelling fairs hoppings and the annual Newcastle Hoppings is one of the largest of its kind in the UK,” said Sharon.
“The name comes from hoppen, which is thought to be an old word for dancing. It’s all about community and people coming together.
“Elavon wanted something that reflected the importance of community and I thought hoppings was a really apt name for a rabbit. The two came together perfectly.”
Sharon’s design is inspired by the hoppings tradition and all the fun of the fair. It will be placed in a central location in the city alongside 40 other Peter Rabbit sculptures on an art trail.
Elavon is honoured to be supporting St Oswald’s again, after sponsoring a sculpture of Shaun the Sheep, in 2023.
Hemlata Narasimhan, President of Elavon Europe, said: “We carrot wait to be a part of the Peter Rabbit: Tales on Tyne.
“It’s really important to us at Elavon to be involved and supportive of the communities where we live and work. We came to Newcastle in 2020 and that’s why we got behind the Shaun on the Tyne art trail so we’re thrilled to be able to support the hospice again this year.
“Our brief for the artist was for the Peter Rabbit sculpture to be bright, bold and playful, and a celebration of community and wellbeing.
“Peter Hoppings does just that and we can’t wait to see it and the reaction it draws when the trail opens to in July.”
Families who find the Elavon sculpture will be in with a chance to win a day out at The Whitehouse Farm Centre.
Schools and local communities will also be decorating their own, smaller Peter Rabbit sculpture which will form a smaller trail around Newcastle.
The public art trail takes place from 15 July to 14 September. Visitors can download an app or use a dedicated map to follow the trail.
When the trail has ended in September, the sculptures will be auctioned off to raise funds for St Oswald’s Hospice.
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Copyright © 2026 | U.S. Bank Europe DAC. Registered in Ireland with Companies Registration Office. The liability of the member is limited. United Kingdom branch registered in England and Wales under the number BR022122.
U.S. Bank Europe DAC, trading as Elavon Merchant Services, is a credit institution authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request.
Helping thousands of customers around the world grow their business through payments
Customer service and support
We’re here to help!
Customer service: 0345 850 0195
Telephone: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Chat: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Opayo product support: 0191 313 0299
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Copyright © 2026 | U.S. Bank Europe DAC. Registered in Ireland with Companies Registration Office. The liability of the member is limited. United Kingdom branch registered in England and Wales under the number BR022122.
U.S. Bank Europe DAC, trading as Elavon Merchant Services, is a credit institution authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request.
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