Charity raises £330k in penguin sculpture auction

Every penguin sculpture has its own unique design

A charity has described the enthusiasm for its penguin sculptures as "beautiful" after they were sold for £330,000 at auction.

More than 200 bidders competed to buy the 41 figures that featured in an art trail named Waddle of Worcester over summer.

The penguins lined the streets of the city for eight weeks and each sculpture was designed by artists or local schools and sponsored by businesses.

Sara Matthews, from St Richard's Hospice, said the result was "absolutely phenomenal" and that the generosity of the people was "just overwhelming".

She said the art journey had been an "emotional rollercoaster", especially after five sculptures were vandalised.

She thanked the hundreds of people who supported the trail.

Matt Baker, from Compco Fire Systems, said he wanted to buy the Kingfisher Azure penguin after it was vandalised and thrown into the river near to his workplace.

"It can live happily for the rest of its life and we just hope we make him secure," he said.

He said it was very important to support the hospice as many of their employees had connections with the charity.

"Our previous managing director spent his last days at St Richard’s so it’s a charity that’s close to our hearts and one we want to support into the future," he added.

Each penguin sold for between £4,000 and £21,000, with two sculptures reaching £20,000 or more under the hammer.

The remaining 40 penguin chicks that featured in the trail have returned to the schools and community groups that decorated them as a legacy of the project.