On 24th October 2024, the Talking Tortoise team attended the Great Waddle of Worcester charity auction held at DRPG, where they were thrilled to secure a unique piece of tourism history – the Wish Upon a Star penguin sculpture.
Summer 2024 saw Worcester City Centre transformed into a free, fun art space as a waddle of creatively designed penguins slid into locals hearts and camera rolls. This Wild in Art installation featured a huddle of 80 penguins, all aiming at raising funds for St Richard’s Hospice, an organisation dedicated to supporting individuals with serious progressive illnesses and their families.
Renowned auctioneer Philip Serrell from Antiques Road Trip and Bargain Hunt drove the bidding to new heights at the charity auction, with several sculptures exceeding £10,000. With the standout piece, Waddle I Do Without You, fetching an impressive £21,000.
For Talking Tortoise owners, Jessica and Martin, penguins have long held a special significance to them. From considering the business name “Penguin PR” to Jessica’s father’s time spent studying penguins in Antarctica, the penguin has been a recurring symbol in their lives. Also the timing of the auction felt particularly meaningful, with the northern lights appearing the week before, their brand colours being featured and “Aurora” being considered as a potential name for their newborn born just a few weeks earlier. Given all these connections, the Wish Upon a Star sculpture felt like the perfect match.
Jessica, Managing Director at Talking Tortoise, shared, “The team and I were proud to support the fantastic work of St Richard’s Hospice. Hospice care is particularly close to my heart, so supporting this charity was a natural fit.”
To acquire this meaningful piece of artwork, Talking Tortoise proudly donated £5,500 to St Richard’s Hospice. Supporting good causes is important to Talking Tortoise, and we are committed to contributing to initiatives that make a lasting impact to help those in our local community.
Written by Natasha Burton.
