Organiser Martin Green, left, and Break fundraising manager, Michael Rooney, with the Go Go Gorillas. Picture: Denise Bradley

Naked gorillas were introduced to their new owners yesterday as 17 Norwich companies met the fibreglass gorillas they are sponsoring for the first time.

In the summer of next year, the animals will join 33 other gorillas, forming a trail around Norwich city centre.

The Go Go Gorillas project is run by the charity Break, which supports children, young people and families in the region.

The project is in partnership with Wild In Art and the wildlife charity The Born Free Foundation.

Organisers are still looking for more local companies to sponsor one of the five feet tall and three feet wide structures, as well as choosing a design for the gorilla.

Peter Marron, business development for the Forum Trust, was at the event and will be supporting the charity’s efforts by housing the auction for the Gorillas next year.

He said the Forum Trust can offer experience from its involvement with the successful elephant art project which came to the city in 2008, which saw one elephant sell for £25,000 at auction. Financial advisory firm Almary Green, on Meridian Business Park, has already sponsored a gorilla, and has liaised with an artist for the design.

Carl Lamb, managing director of the firm, said their gorilla will feature aircraft flying over the cathedral cloisters, and he pledged their full support for the project.

Martin Green, Break fundraising officer and manager of the project, said: “This is really important to Norwich and brings people together.”

For more details visit www.gogogorillas.co.uk