The drop-in sessions are being held at Fair Havens in Priory Crescent on Thursday 6th February, 3-5pm and Thursday 6th March, 10.00am – 12pm, for people who would like to find out more or sign up in person.
The local charity is looking for positive and enthusiastic volunteers, aged 16 or over, to join their ‘Penguin Patrol’. The role of the Penguin Patrol is to engage with trail-goers and look after 30 uniquely designed penguin sculptures placed around the streets of Southend-on-Sea.
The role includes helping visitors to find their way around the trail, checking on the sculptures to ensure they are clean and well-maintained and reporting any issues to the charity. It involves walking, so a good level of fitness is needed, as well as being an enthusiastic communicator who is confident talking to and engaging with people.
Kim Hamber, Volunteer Experience Manager for Havens Hospices, says, “Volunteering is an ideal way to share the skills you have or learn new ones. It’s also a chance to give something back to your local community and a great addition to your CV.
“By volunteering for Waddle-on-Sea, you will have a unique opportunity to be a key part of a high-profile event raising awareness and much-needed funds for Havens Hospices.”
The trail runs for approximately eight weeks, from July to September, and the charity is looking for volunteers to give a minimum of four hours of their time per week between the hours of 10am and 2pm or 2pm and 6pm on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday during the trail.
Full training and support will be provided throughout the trail. As a thank you for supporting the trail, volunteers for the Penguin Patrol will receive a limited-edition t-shirt and bag, along with a free ticket to the Farewell event for free in September.
At the end of the trail, the penguins will be sold at auction to raise thousands of pounds for the free, specialist hospice care Havens Hospices provides for local babies, young people, adults, and their families. It follows the success of the charity’s previous art trails, Hares About Town and Herd In The City, which raised more than £1 million for local hospice care.
If you think you are up for an ice-day out and join the Penguin Patrol, find out more and apply online to at https://www.waddleonsea.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer
Published 31st January 2025
