Waddle-on-Sea – created by Havens Hospices and Wild in Art – is set to take to the streets of Southend-on-Sea in four months, from Friday 11th July to Wednesday 3rd September.
The art trail will see more than 30 large penguin sculptures dotted around the city, each one sponsored by a local business and painted by a professional artist in varying styles.
Alongside these will be over 60 ‘mini huddles’ of baby penguins, adopted and decorated by a school or community group, making art accessible to all.
At the end of the trail, the penguins will be sold at auction, once again raising money for Havens Hospices. Waddle-on-Sea follows the success of the charity’s ‘Hares About Town’ trail in 2021 and Herd In The City in 2023, which have raised more than £1 million for local hospice care.
Penguins were chosen for this year’s project art trail because their care and compassion perfectly symbolise Havens Hospices’ values and Care Teams who work tirelessly to make every day count for every patient and their families. Just like a huddle of penguins, the hospices offer a calm and friendly space where the people they care for and their families can receive the support they need throughout their life’s journey.
Vanessa Harvey, Project Manager for Havens Hospices, said: “We are so excited to officially announce the dates our flock of penguins will be standing proud amongst Southend-on-Sea’s iconic attractions, bringing colour and fun to the city.
“Waddle-on-Sea will offer everyone a great day out, exploring parts of the city they may not have visited before, as well as raise thousands of pounds for the free, specialist hospice care Havens Hospices provides for local adults, children, and their families.”
Havens Hospices includes Fair Havens in Southend, and Little Havens, the children’s hospice for Essex based in Benfleet. The care provided by the charity is completely free of charge, thanks to the generosity of individuals and groups, raising money and making donations.
The Waddle-on-Sea app will be available from the App Store and Google Play from the start of July. To keep up with the herd and to post your ‘penguin poses’ from the trail, visit www.waddleonsea.co.uk or follow on social media – @waddleonsea on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Waddle-on-Sea is made possible thanks to Presenting Partner Ipeco. The Official Event Partners include BTMK Solicitors, Revive.Digital, Able Group and Highview. Rickard Luckin is the Learning and Community Programme Partner, Atlantic Pacific is the Logistics Partner, Echo Newspaper is the Media Partner, BBC Essex is the Radio Partner, Main Media is the Videography Partner, and 6rs is the Creative Partner, which has produced the brand for the project. Southend-on-Sea City Council is also supporting the event.
Published on 11th March 2025
