We're delighted that McArthurGlen's Designer Outlet in Swindon has chosen Julia's House as its new charity partner over the next year!
To celebrate the announcement, we collaborated with Swindon artist Judy Guillery to create a GIGANTIC mural to raise awareness of Julia's House and bring joy to local shoppers.
The colourful community mural, which is around four meters high and sits in one of the vast archways at the North Entrance to the centre, was painted live outdoors by Judy to the delight and surprise of people passing by.
“It’s the largest painting I’ve ever attempted, and I was quite nervous but excited by the challenge,” says Judy. “Because we were painting in the open air, the biggest hurdle was actually the weather – we chose one of the wettest weeks to start painting!”
The mural shows a house with a yellow bear on it – from the Julia’s House logo – being lifted into the sky and over Wiltshire hills by an array of colourful balloons in various shapes, including balloon dogs, bears, hearts, smiley emojis and a steam train.
Judy says, “For me, the mural design shows how Julia’s House brings joy, care, comfort and fun to children and families who are having the toughest time. It also shows that we can all help lift-up local children and families who need our help, by supporting Julia’s House.”
Julia’s House Corporate Fundraiser, Jo Common, says, “We’re delighted that the Swindon Designer Outlet have chosen to support Julia’s House over the next year, and we’re thrilled we were able to work with Judy on this beautiful mural to raise awareness of our vital care for Swindon families.
“As a charity, we rely almost entirely on donations to fund our lifeline of support for local children and families. We currently receive just eight per cent government funding, and due to rising costs and demand for our service, we’re sadly facing a £1m budget deficit this year.”
"It’s incredible and essential that we have the support of businesses like the Swindon Designer Outlet. And we’re hugely grateful to local shoppers who have donated to Julia’s House at our donation stations inside the shopping centre as well.”
Tina Cumpstey, Centre Manager at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon commented, "We are delighted to partner with Julia’s Hospice as our community charity. We are hoping to support the cause by raising brand awareness and vital funds for families and individuals alike.
"We encourage all our guests to stop by the new mural created by Judy and visit Guest Services where they can donate any spare income in the lead up to the festive season. We are profoundly moved by the care that the charity provides and look forward to hosting future fundraising events over the next year together."
The Swindon Designer Outlet team have chosen Julia’s House as their charity of the year, following their involvement in our Big Dog Art Trail in Swindon last summer, which featured 72 hand-painted balloon dog sculptures called Swindogs and Swinpups. Of these, four supersized Swindogs and five medium Swinpups were stationed inside the Outlet to form a mini trail.
Judy painted one of the Swindogs for the trail, called Love Grows, and her 13-year-old son Morgan (Morgan G Makes) also painted his own Swindog, called Steam Pup.
“My son Morgan helped me with some of the finishing touches on the mural over the weekend,” says Judy. “We had so many shoppers stopping to speak to us and watch us paint, it was really lovely. They were also queuing up to stroke Smudge my dog, who loves all the attention and features in most of my artwork. If you look closely, you can spot Smudge on the mural too!”
The mural is available to view now at the Swindon Designer Outlet, and donations can be made to Julia’s House at the Outlet’s Guest Services or at our website.
For more information visit mcarthurglen.com/en/outlets/uk/designer-outlet-swindon or browse our website.