Waddle of Worcester organisers urge people to respect penguin art trail, after sculptures damaged
St Richard's Hospice say two needed repairs after the first day, with another cordoned off since
A Worcestershire-based charity is reminding people to take extra care when they are out and about around their penguin sculptures on display in the city, after some were damaged.
Organisers St Richard's Hospice launched the Great Waddle of Worcester last Monday, which saw 80 penguins form an art trail, designed by artists and schools.
Project manager of the display Sara Matthews says while it's been great seeing people from all over the UK come to see the penguins, two were left needing repairs after the first day, with another since being cordoned off.
"It's really disappointing," Sara said.
"This is a project that's been two years in the making, they've not just landed on the streets, we've had artists who submitted designs last year totalling over 350 submissions, and they've been working on these for months and months, so they are beautiful pieces of art.
"A lot of time, energy, and effort goes into creating these pieces of art to be on display, and we don't want to cordon them off, we want people to be able to enjoy them and stand next to them and hug them and have their photos taken.
"We do encourage that while we do want you to touch the penguins, we just want to urge people not to hang on their beaks or to stand on their feet or their tail, because it is creating pressure points, and if they're left alone, then they will last the test of time."
The trail is set to remain in place for eight weeks, raising funds for the hospice's care of patients and their loved ones across Worcestershire.
Through an app, the hospice say they have recorded more than 74,000 visits to individual penguins so far since the start.
"The reception so far has been absolutely amazing," Sara said.
"When we did the giraffes the first time, people didn't really get it until the trail was actually live, then with the elephants we were just coming out of COVID, so we still had restrictions in place.
"You can't help but love them anyways, but I think we are definitely breaking the internet with our penguin craze that's for sure, and we've been blown away by the response."
Penguins will be on display in the city until they leave in September.