A WADDLE of penguins are still making cash for a Worcester-based hospice.
Forty large penguins and one chick raised an incredible £330,000 for St Richard’s Hospice at auction in October and have continued to raise funds thanks to a Worcester-based removals firm.
Warren’s Removals has relocated 27 of the feathered friends and donated all fees to St Richard’s – raising another £3,700 for the hospice’s care of patients, their loved ones and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
‘Welcome to Worcester’ has found its forever home on a canal boat at Diglis Marina, while Doodle McZenguin was bought by sponsor Worcester Learning Zone to brighten up its city offices.
St Richard’s Hospice spokesperson Sara Matthews said: “After raising so much for our care at auction, our happy huddle have kept on giving thanks to our friends at Warren’s Removals. Having helped relocate our giraffes in 2018 and elephants in 2021, they’re quite the experts when it comes to herding animals.
“Like many UK hospices, St Richard’s is facing unprecedented financial pressure with just 20 per cent of our funding coming from the NHS and our costs rising year on year. We rely on supporters to help us raise the majority of our income so are incredibly grateful to everyone who helps us day in, day out.”
Over the summer, 80 penguins paraded through the city’s streets and open spaces for eight weeks including 40 babies which have since returned to the schools and community groups which painted them.
Warren Leggett, director of Warren’s Removals, added: “It’s our pleasure to relocate the hospice huddle and raise funds towards the amazing work St Richard’s does for patients and their families locally. Last time we raised £2,500 so we’re so happy to have smashed that target by raising £3,700. A huge thank you to all the penguin owners who chose us to carry their iconic pieces of art and, in turn, helped us to help the hospice.”
