The Great Tail Trail has welcomed more new businesses keen to show their support for local children’s hospice charity, Julia’s House.
Running over eight weeks from April 5 until June 1 2025, The Great Tail Trail will feature 40 giant mermaid tail sculptures in popular locations across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Each sculpture is sponsored by a local business or organisation, given a unique and colourful design by an artist and, once the trail is over, will be sold at auction to raise vital funds for Julia’s House.
UK life and pensions mutual insurer, LV=, which has its headquarters in Bournemouth, has confirmed that it will sponsor a sculpture on the trail.
Harry Hanscomb, Chief Operating Officer for LV=, said: “For many years, we’ve proudly supported Julia’s House through a number of different initiatives such as Charity of the Year, fundraising and colleague volunteering.
“We’re delighted to be part of the Great Tail Trail to help raise much needed funds for Julia’s House and the children and families it supports.
“The trail is going to be a fantastic addition to Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch and we’re looking forward to seeing our tail on the seafront.”
Other businesses confirmed as mermaid tail sponsors are Poole-based MSP Capital, a specialised provider of bridging and development finance; construction company Beard, which joins as installation partner for the trail, and Holt Recruitment Group, a specialist in automotive, aerospace, defence, satellite and engineering recruitment.
Organix, one of the original companies to sign up as a trail sponsor, joined the latest sponsors at the Julia’s House Dorset hospice in Corfe Mullen to announce their involvement.
Sophie Cox, Business Manager for Holt Recruitment Group, said: “We believe deeply in the power of community and the importance of giving back.
“This belief underpins our enthusiastic sponsorship of Julia’s House and The Great Tail Trail.
“Sponsoring this event allows Holt Recruitment to make a tangible difference in our community, supporting causes that truly matter. ”
The latest local business recruits means that more than a quarter of the giant mermaid tail sculptures have already been sponsored.
Julia’s House is looking for more sculpture sponsors as well as a headline sponsor and learner programme partner.
Laura Maidment, Public Fundraising Manager for Julia’s House, said: “There are so many benefits to being a sponsor of The Great Tail Trail.
“The trail will generate hundreds of visitors to BCP next spring, so it’s a great opportunity to build visibility for your brand.”
The Great Tail Trail is brought to BCP by Julia’s House and Wild in Art, which specialises in public art events.
Julia’s House and Wild in Art have collaborated on art trails previously including the Pride in Bournemouth lion trail in 2011.
To find out more about the trail and how you can become a sponsor visit www.juliashouse.org/tail-