Persimmon support for Swindogs
14 July 2023
30 “larger-than-life” balloon dog sculptures will be released across Swindon tomorrow (Saturday 15th) to support a local children’s hospice, Julia’s House.
Decorated by professional artists, schools, and community groups, each of the 30 balloon Swindogs and 42 Swinpups will be visible to passers-by on the Big Dog Art Trail across the town.
One of the balloons, designed by artist Mike Pringle and titled “Gone Wild” is sponsored by Persimmon Homes Wessex who will also donate £1 to Julia’s House for every visitor its Swindog receives (up to £2,000).
Julia’s House – a children’s hospice that operates across Wiltshire and Dorset, which Persimmon has also donated to as part of its Community Champions initiative – organised the Trail.
The Trail will be live from 15 July to 3 September 2023, concluding with a farewell event with all the Swindogs and Swinpups in one location. The balloons will then be auctioned off to raise funds for the hospice, while returning to the schools and groups that made them.
Persimmon is building new homes on a number of sites in Swindon including at its new Stanton Chase development, and is committed to supporting organisations in the communities in which it builds. The Five Star Builder prides itself on its homes being priced 20% below the national average, opening the opportunity of homeownership to thousands of families every year who might otherwise not be able to afford it.
Persimmon employs over 5,000 people directly and supports over 80,000 jobs in the supply chain, and its long-established Community Champions programme sees over £700,000 spent on good causes across Britain each year.
Pauline Fletcher, Persimmon Homes Wessex’s Sales & Marketing Director, said:
“Sponsoring Swindon’s Big Dog Art Trail and supporting Julia’s House children’s hospice is something Persimmon Wessex is proud to do.
“Persimmon has a significant presence across Wiltshire and it is important for us to do our bit to make the areas in which we build better, not just in providing homes and jobs for local people but, by strengthening the sense of community and supporting vital local organisations.
“Julia’s House undertakes amazing work for young children and families across Wiltshire, and we can’t wait for the launch of the official trail this weekend.
“We’re looking forward to everyone getting a chance to see the Persimmon sculpture, expertly designed by Mike Pringle, and to seeing the community in Swindon enjoying this colourful trail over the summer months as we all get behind Julia’s House children’s hospice.”
