TWO penguin statues have been damaged less than 24 hours after the Great Waddle of Worcester trail was launched.
The penguins, named Kingfisher Azure and Little Blue Makes A Wish, were damaged overnight and have been removed from the trail for repair.
The Waddle of Worcester, set up to raise vital funds for St Richard's Hospice, only launched yesterday (Monday, July 22).
A spokesperson for St Richard's Hospice said it would appear the damage was intentional.
The spokesperson added it was 'hugely disappointing' as the penguins will help raise funds at an 'extremely challenging time'.
Sara Matthews, business development manager for St Richard’s Hospice, said: “Sadly two of our penguins, Kingfisher Azure and Little Blue Makes A Wish, were damaged overnight and will be taken off the trail for repair.
“We know this will be hugely disappointing news to everyone who’s coming to waddle with us and our repair team is working hard to return them as soon as possible.
“We ask everyone in the city to please treat our happy hospice huddle with love and care and report any damage.
"At the end of the trail these beautiful works of art will be auctioned to raise funds for patients and loved ones cared for by St Richard’s Hospice at an extremely challenging time for charities like us.”
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A West Mercia Police spokesperson said they could not find any reports of damage in their records.
The waddle, a trail of penguin sculptures placed across the city, began yesterday (Monday, July 22) and will finish on Sunday, September 15.
The two-month showpiece has been created by art trail company Wild in Art and celebrates St Richard’s Hospice's 40th anniversary.
In total, 80 penguins and one digital art installation are in place through the city’s streets and open spaces, forming a five-mile-long art trail.
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.
People can also download the Great Waddle of Worcester app.
On the first day of the waddle, more than 6,500 sculptures have been collected on the app.
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