Organisers of Worcester’s summer penguin trail are thanking county knitters and stitchers for making a big difference for local hospice care.
The great Waddle of Worcester, a Wild in Art event being brought to the city by St Richard’s Hospice, has been encouraging local residents to handcraft penguins and penguin themed items and has been staggered by the response.
Sara Matthews, Business Development Manager for St Richard’s Hospice, explained: “When we called upon the county’s keen knitters, stitchers and penguin lovers to get making last year we knew they’d rally around, but the response has blown us away.
“Incredibly, we’ve received more than 1,500 decorative penguins, plus hundreds of donated and handmade penguin-themed gifts, homeware, clothing and accessories. All are available in our pop-up penguin shop for a donation towards our care. It’s truly humbling to see the love and care that’s gone into them and each and every item will help make a difference for patients living with an illness that cannot be cured and their loved ones too.
Hospice supporters ‘Handmade in Hallow’ have been busy handcrafting penguins, aprons, tea towels and greeting cards for months. Group leader, Wendy Brookes, has been coordinating their efforts at the group which meets every third Friday of the month.
Mrs Brookes said: “We’ve been running for ten years and are made up of members from 62 to 100 years old. When we heard that the hospice needed penguins we got cracking straight away.
“Many members of our group have lost a loved one or know what it’s like to be alone, so it’s lovely we can come together to form friendships and help the hospice at the same time.”
Ms Matthews added: “We are so grateful to Handmade in Hallow and hundreds of others in the community who’ve come together to make their own happy huddle. One of our key aims of the Waddle is to help the city create lasting memories this summer and now trail goers can take home these gorgeous lasting mementos too.”
Anyone with handcrafted penguins to donate can still do so. Finished items can be dropped to the Waddle of Worcester shop at 14 Chapel Walk, Crowngate Shopping Centre, every day between 10am and 4pm until 15 September. Alternatively, penguins can be posted or dropped to: Sara Matthews, Fundraising Department, St Richard’s Hospice, Wildwood Drive, Worcester, WR5 2QT. The hospice is asking senders to include their contact details inside the packaging so each maker can be thanked.
The parade of penguin sculptures remains in Worcester until Sunday 15 September. A spectacular showcase of 80 penguins – large and small – is gracing city streets and open spaces to form a free, open air trail.
Once the trail has ended, there will be a final chance to see all of the sculptures together before the large penguins, and one special baby, are auctioned to raise money for St Richard’s Hospice.
The great Waddle of Worcester is supported by Presenting Partners; Crowngate, DRPG, Worcester City Council and Worcestershire Ambassadors, Community and Education Partner; Worcester BID and Media Partners; the Worcester News and BBC Hereford & Worcester.
You can follow the great Waddle of Worcester at: https://www.facebook.com/WaddleOfWorcester/, https://twitter.com/WaddleOfWorc and https://www.Instagram.com/WaddleOfWorcester
Join the huddle
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, call Sara Matthews, Business Development Manager, on 01905 763963, or email [email protected]
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