Crowngate Shopping centre is thrilled to announce St Richard’s Hospice have been appointed as Crowngate’s charity of the year for 2024/25.

St Richard’s Hospice are a local Worcester charity who have been caring for adults with serious progressive illnesses since 1984. From their home in Wildwood Drive they improve the quality of patients’ lives from diagnosis, during treatment and to their last days. To find out more about the great work they do visit www.strichards.org.uk

A date not to be missed this summer is the great Waddle of Worcester art trail. This event will see two different colonies of penguins take residence in Worcester from Monday 22^nd July until Sunday 15^th September. Forty large penguins each sponsored by a business and designed by an artist will form a free, fun trail round Worcester.

Crowngate is the official host to the event’s ‘mini parade’ of penguin chicks, designed by local schools and community groups – the shopping centre is expecting to see trail goers sliding through the doors at its two sites.

Michael Lloyd, Centre Manager said “We fondly reflect on the 2021 art trail, where the shopping centre brimmed with adorable elephant calves and artists passionately decorating the fibreglass sculptures—an unforgettable sight. The joyous expressions on the faces of children and families, proudly witnessing their creations showcased, linger in our memories. Anticipating the return of everyone to Crowngate this summer, we eagerly await more moments of shared creativity and artistic delight.”

Sara Matthews, Business Development Manager for St Richard’s Hospice, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that Crowngate is continuing to support our care by choosing us as their Charity of the Year.

“We have worked closely with Crowngate from the first city art trail of giraffes in 2018, then majestic elephants in 2021 and we’re set for an incredible summer with perfect penguins very soon.

“Being Charity of the Year builds on our close partnership and we look forward to working together in the next 12 months.”