More local businesses dive in to support Julia's House sculpture art trail

May 9th, 2024

More local businesses have jumped at the chance to dive in and support The Great Tail Trail, a sculpture art trail taking place across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch (BCP) next Spring. The family-friendly trail, which runs from 5 April until 1 June 2025, will raise vital funds for Julia’s House children’s hospice charity, who provide care for the most seriously ill children and their families in Dorset.

Four more businesses have just signed up to sponsor one of the 40 giant mermaid tail sculptures that will feature on the trail in some of BCP’s best-loved places. They join the seven local businesses already confirmed as sponsors, with more yet to be announced.

Leading leisure and event operator BH Live has been named as community partner for the trail and will sponsor two sculptures and host several of the mermaid tails along the event trail. BH Live will also hosts a Farewell Event at the Bournemouth International Centre, where all the mermaid tail sculptures will be displayed under the same roof for the public to view one last time. After this, the one-off giant pieces of art will be sold at a Grand Auction to raise money for Julia’s House.

Steele Raymond LLP Solicitors, Protected Trust Services, the market-leading travel seller support group and outdoor decking specialists, Vinyl Solutions have also signed up as sponsors on the trail. Each sponsor will select a unique and eye-catching design for their mermaid tail sculpture from designs submitted by local artists, who will then paint and decorate the sculptures ready for the start of the trail in April 2025.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome even more local businesses on board for The Great Tail Trail,” says Laura Maidment, Public Fundraising Manager for Julia’s House. “There has been a huge interest since we first announced the trail, but there’s still time to sign up and sponsor a sculpture. We’re also looking for businesses to become our headline sponsor or learner programme partner, helping to get local schools and community groups involved.

“The Great Tail Trail is going to be the feelgood event for the whole community next year and will directly help Julia’s House to support and care for local children and families dealing with unimaginable challenges.”

Other sponsors already signed up are Organix, London Business Forum, The Waterfront, Twenty7Tec, Norco, Bournemouth Water and local full-service marketing and design agency, Fathom, who are creative partners for the trail.

“We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with Julia’s House as the official community partner for The Great Tail Trail,” says Jon Workman, CEO of BH Live. “Julia’s House is an incredible charity, and this event is a wonderful opportunity to show our support for the outstanding work they do in our local communities.

“We hope visitors have a fantastic time exploring the stunning locations across the BCP region. We look forward to welcoming everyone at the Farewell Weekend at the Bournemouth International Centre in June 2025.”

The Great Tail Trail is brought to BCP by Julia’s House and Wild in Art, the leading producer of spectacular public art events. Wild in Art trails can be found across the UK and worldwide, bringing communities together and leaving a lasting legacy. Julia’s House and Wild in Art have collaborated on art trails previously, in 2011 with the Pride in Bournemouth lion trail and in Swindon last year with The Big Dog Art Trail, both of which raised awareness and funds for the children’s hospice charity.

Julia’s House relies on public support and donations to provide its vital care to seriously ill children and their families across Dorset. Without that support the charity would not exist. Its costs are increasing along with the demand for its specialist care, due to more children being born and living longer with rare and complex medical conditions.

If you would like to find out how your business can sponsor a mermaid tail on The Great Tail Trail click here.

Julia's House has a CQC 'Outstanding' rating (Feb 2023), ranking us in the top quartile of all hospices in the UK. Click here to read the report.