Great Waddle of Worcester has been launched today

The waddle, a trail of penguin sculptures began today (Monday, July 22) and will finish on Sunday, September 15.

These penguins are welcoming people to Crowngate. (Image: St Richard’s Hospice)

The trail includes a Worcester News penguin which has been sponsored by the newspaper. 

A Wild in Art event, the eight-week showcase is being brought to the city by St Richard’s Hospice in its 40th year.

This penguin is enjoying life in Worcester City Centre. (Image: Ryan Smith)
 

In total, 80 penguins and one digital art installation are on show through the city’s streets and open spaces, forming a five-mile long art trail. 

The trail is raising vital funds for the hospice’s care of patients living with an illness that cannot be cured and their loved ones.

The penguins begin to arrive (Image: St Richards hospice)

The waddle follows the charity’s hugely successful elephant and giraffe trails in 2018 and 2021 which, combined, raised more than £700,000 for St Richard’s. 

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Sara Matthews, business development manager for St Richard’s, said: “We are so excited to be bringing our third trail to Worcester and can’t wait to see families, friends and colleagues waddling with us this summer!

“No creature captures the spirit of St Richard’s Hospice better than these beautiful birds who are always looking out for their neighbour.  
 

The penguins take a trip through Worcester. (Image: St Richards hospice)

"We want our community to know that, just like the penguin, our huddle is here for those with an illness that cannot be cured and their loved ones experiencing loss, loneliness and bereavement. Together we can weather the storm.”

Half of the 80 penguin sculptures have been designed by artists and sponsored by organisations from across the county and beyond.

There are also 40 smaller chick sculptures which have been decorated by schools and community groups and are on show in city centre shop windows and Crowngate Shopping Centre.

Charlie Langhorne, managing director and Co-founder of Wild in Art, added: “The great Waddle of Worcester is another wonderful opportunity to bring business, artists, schools and communities together through the power of creativity.

“We hope everyone has a flippin’ fantastic time discovering dazzlingly designed penguins and sharing the stories that inspired each work of art – and which may well inspire local artists of the future.”

Trail maps are available from Worcester Tourist Information Centre, St Richard’s Hospice shops and the trail’s pop-up shop at 14 Chapel Walk, Crowngate Shopping Centre.