What's been a gentle 'woof woof' in the build up becomes a fully blown 'bow wow bow' this weekend as the Big Dog Art Trail launches in Swindon!
The Big Dog Art Trail runs from 15 July to 3 September with the 30 supersized Swindogs being unleashed across Swindon this Saturday.
Designed by local and international artists, the uniquely decorated sculptures will create the UK's first ever balloon dog art trail and raise essential funds for the local children's hospice, Julia's House.
Each dog is sponsored by a local business including Imagine Cruising, Beard, Nationwide, Swindon Bus Company, Zurich, Swindon Designer Outlet, Dick Lovett and Visit Swindon publisher Jazzbones Creative (who also did the branding and design for the event).
Kids will love going on a hunt for the Swindogs which are located at popular spots across town, including the town centre, Swindon Designer Outlet, Town Gardens, Queens Park and the County Ground.
Also joining the event are more than 40 mini Swinpups. Hundreds of children from across Swindon took part in an inspirational Learning Programme to transform their Swinpups. Enjoy spotting them at libraries, community centres and leisure centres across Swindon.
To help you sniff out the Swindogs across town and really make the most of the experience, download The Big Dog Art Trail app from the App Store or Google Play for FREE.
App treats
- Find and collect Swindogs and Swinpups
- Earn and redeem great rewards
- Track your progress
- Vote for your favourite design
- Add your votes to the gallery
- Count your steps with the pedometer
Julia's House is a local children's hospice charity, looking after the most seriously ill children in Swindon and across Wiltshire and Dorset, who need 24 hour care for their complex medical conditions.
Its team of nurses and carers provide essential respite sessions to give exhausted parents a break at Julia's House hospices and in families' homes.
Julia's House receives 92 per cent of its funding from the local community. It's only thanks to your donations that they can be there for the whole family - for the children with life-shortening conditions, their siblings, parents and grandparents.
Make a PAW-some difference!
Shop for trail goodies ... Buy a range of Big Dog Art Trail merchandise at the STEAM Museum and Lydiard House Museum. Every penny raised goes towards care for local families.
Fundraise ... From skydiving to sing-a-longs, there are lots of ways you can fundraise for Julias House - why not get sponsored to run, walk or cycle the whole Big Dog Art Trail? Take on a solo challenge or get together with classmates, friends and colleagues and sign up for something fun. Children can join the Young Fundraiser scheme as well!
Donate ... you can make a one-off or regular donation at juliashouse.org/walkies or by scanning the QR code on the Big Dog Art Trail map.
Pictured: Pup Art by Glen Brooks, sponsored by Jazzbones Creative, located by the Town Gardens bandstand/cafe.
bigdogarttrail.co.uk