Schools and community groups invited to waddle in Worcester!

Schools and community groups are being invited to be part of Worcester’s third major public art trail in summer 2024, which will see penguins waddle through streets and public spaces.

The great Waddle of Worcester will bring 80 beautifully decorated penguin sculptures to the city, including 40 chicks which will have been created by local children, teachers and community group members.

The chicks will be displayed in city shop windows and at Crowngate Shopping Centre during the trail before being returned to their creators as a lasting memory of the project.

Following unprecedented interest in adopting a baby penguin, schools and community groups must register in advance before successful participants are drawn in a ballot.

Sara Matthews, Business Development Manager for St Richard’s Hospice, which is bringing the art trail to Worcester, said: “We’re beyond excited to host the great Waddle of Worcester next summer and to deliver a huddle of baby penguins which have been carefully and thoughtfully designed by local children and groups.

“We’ve been blown away by the number of schools and groups wishing to take part next summer and want to make sure that entry is as fair as possible.  So, this time, participants must register to enter a penguin chick ballot, which is open now until 5pm on Friday 15 September.

“We know that designing a penguin, sharing it with friends and family during the trail, before seeing it return to your school and group, creates lasting memories for those who take part. Thank you to everyone who has entered the ballot to waddle with us so far.”

The great Waddle of Worcester is supported by Community and Education Partner Worcester BID. Sam McCarthy, Chief Executive of Worcester BID, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for local schools and groups to be a part of something really special next year.  Once again Worcester will be transformed into a fun, free art space with thousands of people enjoying the creative talents of local young people and community group members.”

Any school or community group in the county can apply to receive a penguin chick before transforming it from plain white to a work of art. Places are limited and will be drawn at random.

More information about the schools and education programme for the great Waddle of Worcester, and details of how to apply, can be found on the event website at: https://waddleofworcester.co.uk/schools/

Registrations of interest in the ballot must be made before 5pm on Friday 15 September 2023.

Forty baby penguins will be available for adoption by local schools and community groups. To register interest as a school or community group visit or Schools page.

You can follow the great Waddle of Worcester on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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.