EYECATCHING penguin sculptures added a touch of magic and cast their spell over the city, capturing hearts on behalf of Worcester's hospice.
The colourful sculptures turned heads outside Worcester Guildhall in the High Street this morning after the launch yesterday, young and old alike stopping and staring.
The great Waddle of Worcester arts trail is designed to be a nest egg for St Richard's Hospice, raising vital funds.
Ann Fitzgerald, 82, of Arboretum Road, Worcester said: "I think it's great - so striking."
READ MORE: Penguin sculpture for St Richard's is launched
Ollyver-James Calder, five, of Dent Close, off Wyld's Lane made a beeline for the sculptures with 28-year-old mum, Laurie-rose Calder.
Sara Matthews, business development manager at St Richard's Hospice, said she, together with the hospice's fundraising director Tricia Cavell, chose the sculpture - and now the aim was to get sponsors, describing the reaction so far as 'amazing'.
She added: "There are a number of reasons why we chose penguins. They live in communities and, when the weather is cold they huddle together. We, as an organisation, have tried to do this and wrap our arms around the community. It's synonymous with who we are and what we do.
“If anyone knows that kindness is a superpower; it’s the penguin! Compassionate by nature, you’ll see them in a huddle - looking out for their neighbour - when the weather turns. The penguin feels like our perfect spirit animal.”
Mike Lloyd, centre manager at Crowngate, said the sculptures created community engagement and increased footfall in the city centre.
"It brings colour to the city centre. During the last trail we had great feedback. There has already been an expression of interest which is fantastic.
"St Richard's touches so many people's lives. They are absolutely professional - experts in what they do. It's not just the business side. It's the personal side as well."
Sam McCarthy, chief executive officer of Worcester BID, said: "I think they're fantastic. They bring that element of magic to the streets, creating a vibrant place."
She also said the sculptures increased footfall in the city with the last trail resulting in retailers saying they were 'trading at the same level as the Victorian Fayre'.
The Penguin sculptures will line streets and open spaces for eight weeks in 2024, creating the great Waddle of Worcester – a Wild in Art event brought to the city by St Richard’s.
The fundraiser is a follow-up to Worcester Stands Tall and Worcester’s Big Parade, which saw giraffe and elephant sculptures displayed in 2018 and 2021 raising more than £700,000 combined.
Forty big penguin sculptures will form the free art trail – running from Monday, July 22 to Sunday, September 15 2024.
The sculptures will be sponsored by businesses and brought to life with designs created by artists from Worcestershire and beyond.
The large sculptures will be joined by another 40 penguin chick sculptures which will be covered in artwork by students and community groups.
At the end of the trail, the large sculptures will be auctioned to raise funds for the hospice’s care to patients, loved ones and bereaved people across Worcestershire.
The great Waddle of Worcester is supported by Presenting Partners; Crowngate, DRPG and Worcester City Council, Community and Education Partner; Worcester BID and Media Partners; the Worcester News and BBC Hereford & Worcester.
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