Worcestershire Ambassadors pick up a penguin partnership

Date published: 19 July 2023

Three members of Worcestershire Ambassadors staff stand with Spirit the large penguin statue and Hoiho the small penguin statue in front of St Richard's Hospice.

An organisation with a core aim of making Worcestershire a great place to live, work, invest, visit and do business is to partner in the county’s third public art trail in summer 2024.

Worcestershire Ambassadors has joined the great Waddle of Worcester as one of five presenting partners, helping St Richard’s Hospice bring 80 penguins – large and small – to city streets and public spaces.

A penguin featuring a design chosen by the Worcestershire Ambassadors will also appear along the six-mile trail. At the end of the event, 40 large penguins will be auctioned to raise money for the free care St Richard’s Hospice provides to local patients and their loved ones across Worcestershire.

Vince Hopkins, Chair of Worcestershire Ambassadors, said: “Whilst we are always delighted to support St Richards Hospice, we’re particularly pleased to be helping them deliver an event which will bring so much to our county in summer 2024.

“Many thousands will visit the city and county from all over the UK and overseas to waddle in Worcester. This will bring much-needed economic benefits, particularly to the hospitality sector, and support one of the Ambassadors’ key aims in helping to promote our county.”

Forty baby penguins will pop-up in local shops and Crowngate Shopping Centre in Worcester, creating a mini penguin parade.  After the trail comes to an end, each sculpture will be returned to the school or community group which decorated them as a lasting memory of the project.

Sara Matthews, Business Development Manager for St Richard’s Hospice, said: “It’s wonderful to have Worcestershire Ambassadors by our sides we work to deliver more art trail magic for local people and visitors alike.

“After evaluating our two previous trails we know that our giraffes and elephants drove people into Worcester, increased dwell time and spend in the city. Many visiting trail goers will extend their stay locally, visiting other county attractions while they are here.”

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.

Join the huddle

To discuss sponsorship opportunities, call Sara Matthews, Business Development Manager, on 01905 763963, or email [email protected]

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