Worcester business uses fortieth birthday to help hospice

A Worcester-based business which has just marked its fortieth year in the UK is helping a local hospice celebrate forty years in 2024.

Global manufacturing company, Southco Manufacturing Ltd, has signed-up to sponsor a sculpture for the great Waddle of Worcester art trail – which will take the city by storm for eight weeks from Monday 22 July.

The company, which also supported the Worcester Stands Tall and Worcester’s Big Parade art trails in 2018 and 2021, will sponsor one of 40 large penguins in the Wild in Art showcase, being brought to city by St Richard’s Hospice.

Philip Kempson, Managing Director at Southco Manufacturing Ltd, said: “We’ve loved being part of the last two trails in the city and the team here is looking forward to seeing penguins on parade in 2024.

“It’s also a brilliant opportunity to give something back and support the amazing care that St Richard’s provides in its fortieth birthday year. Having just marked the same milestone of forty years here in Worcester, it’s something the whole hospice team can be proud of.”

During the trail, 80 sculptures – beautifully decorated by artists, schools and community groups alike – will bring a splash of colour to Worcester.

Following the trail, the sculptures will be auctioned to raise money for the specialist care provided by St Richard’s to patients living with serious progressive illness, their families and bereaved people across the county.

Sara Matthews, Business Development Manager for St Richard’s Hospice, said: “It’s so wonderful to welcome our friends at Southco to waddle with us following the company’s support in 2018 and 2021.“You might remember the amazing ‘Woolyphant’ elephant that Southco sponsored in 2021 and that sculpture sits proudly in their Reception after they bought it at auction to further support our care.  We simply wouldn’t be here as a charity without this kind of backing from our community – thank you Southco from us all at St Richard’s!”

Forty large penguins will be designed by artists and selected by sponsors to appear along the six-mile route. To register interest as an artist visit our Artist page.

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.