A replica hospital, made entirely from LEGO® bricks and one of the largest constructions of its kind in the UK, is set to be unveiled at Exhibition Centre Liverpool.
The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity has commissioned the Big LEGO® Brick Hospital, which will consist of half a million LEGO® bricks, to raise money for its new centre, currently under construction in Liverpool city centre.
Members of the public are being asked to buy a brick for a £1 donation for the fundraising campaign, which aims to raise £500,000.
Now the structure will go on display for the first time at Exhibition Centre Liverpool as part of The Great Brick Adventure which takes place this August bank holiday.
Bright Bricks is constructing the model, using an army of local volunteers, and is also bringing The Great Brick Adventure to the waterfront venue, sister venue of Echo Arena.
The model, which when complete will measure 1.6m x 2.8m x 1.6m high, will be on display to the public for the first time for the launch of the exhibition on August 25. It will contain more than 100 rooms replicating a hospital including 150 beds, kitchens and MRI scanners.
Each bed is made up of 49 bricks equaling a total of 7350 bricks just for the beds alone. There will also be 200 mini figures – such as nurses, doctors and construction workers – in the completed model. It will be one of the biggest LEGO® structures in the UK and the first ever hospital of its kind to be made from LEGO® bricks in the world.
Katrina Bury, head of The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, said: “We are really excited to be part of The Great Brick Adventure where people will get to see the model for the first time.
“We have been overwhelmed by the donations so far which have allowed us, in partnership with Bright Bricks, to construct the foundations of the model hospital and the beginnings of the Radiotherapy department.
“We are sure LEGO brick fans at the event will love seeing the model and getting involved in the build while raising much needed funds to help transform cancer care.”
The Great Brick Adventure will include three interactive zones – more than 80 life sized animals such as Earl Grey the Elephant, Harriet the Hippo and Rocky the Penguin will be on display in the Safari Zone which will also include Brick Pits for children to play in.
Sound and smoke effects surround the interactive Mythical Beasts zone with heroes, monsters and even a life-sized dragon.
Meanwhile watch the Warriorbots battle it out in combat in a specially constructed arena and take aim with your catapult as you try and Feed the Frogs.
Ben Williams, commercial director of The ACC Liverpool Group, which includes Exhibition Centre Liverpool, said: “The Great Brick Adventure will enable members of the public to see the Big LEGO® Brick Hospital as part of a fantastic interactive exhibition which is coming to the region for the first time.
“We hope visitors will make a donation to Clatterbridge’s fundraising campaign while enjoying everything the event has to offer, from a polar bear to tigers to a giant pit where kids can make their own LEGO® brick creations.”
The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity is working to raise a total of £15 million towards the construction of the new specialist cancer hospital in the city’s Knowledge Quarter and improvements to the Wirral site. The new hospital is due to open in 2020.
If you would like to buy a LEGO Brick for £1 and help transform cancer care please go to www.biglegobrickhospital.org.uk or call 0151 556 5566.
- The Great Brick Adventure runs from Saturday August 25 to Monday August 27. Advance discounted tickets are priced at £39.80 for a family of four, £13.95 for an adult ticket and £11.95 for a child. On the day tickets are priced at £49.80 for a family, £16.95 for an adult ticket and £14.95 for a child ticket. Ages three and under go free to the event. For tickets go to https://www.exhibitioncentreliverpool.com/whats-on/the-great-brick-adventure/