We are delighted to introduce you to Wild, our new office resident (if you visited Southend this summer, you may have already met)! Wild was one of many colourful penguins dotted around Southend and the surrounding areas as part of Haven Hospice’s Waddle-on-Sea Art Trail, which raised an incredible £580,000. Waddle-on-Sea captured the hearts of thousands of local people and visitors alike, bringing art, fun, and community spirit to the streets of Southend, all while raising vital funds for a truly meaningful cause.
What is Havens Hospices?
Havens Hospices provides specialist care and support for babies, children, young people, and adults living with complex or incurable conditions. Their care is completely free of charge and tailored to individuals and families, helping them make the most of every moment together. Every pound raised through Waddle-on-Sea goes directly towards helping the charity continue providing that exceptional care across Essex.
How Was The Money Raised?
The impressive fundraising total was made possible thanks to the many people who joined in; from families exploring the trail and local businesses sponsoring sculptures, to those who bought raffle tickets and merchandise, made donations, and took part in the grand auction to bid for their favourite penguins once the trail was over.
It was an honour to be one of those sponsors, and we loved the design of our penguin, “Wild”, designed by the talented local artist Charlie Stafford. You can read more about Charlie’s inspiration behind Wild [here].
Why We Bought The Penguin?
When the trail came to an end, we, of course, couldn’t resist taking part in the auction, and we’re delighted to announce that we successfully bid for our sponsored penguin! Wild now stands proudly in our boardroom, bringing a splash of colour and a cheerful reminder of the amazing community effort that made Waddle-on-Sea such a success.
For us here at Able Group, Wild represents more than just a beautiful piece of art. It is an ever-present reminder of our Waddle-on-Sea journey and the difference we can make when our community comes together to support truly worthwhile causes. We’d like to say a huge thank you to Havens Hospices for creating such a joyful event, to Charlie Stafford for her fantastic artwork, and to everyone who supported Waddle-on-Sea in any way. Together, we’ve helped ensure that Havens Hospices can continue to be there for those who need it most, now and in the future.
