A property finance firm has dived in to support a giant mermaid-themed art trail aiming to raise vital funds for local children’s hospice care.
Thousands of families will be able to follow The Great Tail Trail next year thanks to sponsorship from businesses including Poole-based lending specialist MSP Capital.
The public trail, featuring 40 sculpted tails in locations across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole region, is a fundraising initiative for Julia’s House children’s hospice charity.
Mermaid tails have been specially chosen as they represent the Mermaid Suite at the charity’s hospice in Corfe Mullen, where families can spend time together when their child is at the end of their life.
Once the trail is finished, the sculptures will be auctioned to raise vital funds to support the life-changing care Julia’s House provides across Dorset and Wiltshire.
MSP Capital’s Community Committee chose Julia’s House as one of its core charities to support this year, continuing a relationship going back over several years.
Speaking after a launch event in the Rockwater restaurant at Branksome Chine beach, MSP Capital’s Associate Director of Credit, Lee Merrifield, a Community Committee member, said: “This trail promises to be a lot of fun for children and families. The designs will be beautiful, decorative and colourful, and the tails will become landmarks and talking points.
“We already support Julia’s House, for example through our annual beach volleyball tournament in Bournemouth, and everyone in our team is thrilled to be on board with The Great Tail Trail.
“Aside from being part of a fun, summer initiative, we know the fantastic work that Julia’s House does for children and families and we’re keen to do what we can to support them.
“With all the business sponsorship of the trail, and the auctioning of the sculptures at the end of the trail season, hopefully The Great Tail Trail will raise a substantial sum towards essential local children’s hospice services.”
Delivered in partnership with public art specialist Wild in Art, the 40 giant tails will be designed and completed by specially commissioned local artists later this year, ahead of the trail going live across the BCP area for eight weeks from 5 April to 1 June 2025.
Eleanor Collins, MSP Capital Marketing Executive and, like Lee, a Community Committee member, said: “We’re supporting The Great Tail Trail to help bring fundraising and sponsorship to Julia’s House, while creating a family-friendly focal point for residents and visitors to be inspired by art. The more visitors it attracts, the more money comes into the local community, benefiting all.
“We’re really looking forward to selecting our design and seeing the sculpture on display alongside the others on the trail. Julia’s House is such a fantastic charity and one that we’re pleased to support through ourESG strategy Foundations for Better Futures launched last year. A key strand of Foundations is to support our local community and the charities that operate in it.”
Caroline Attreed, Corporate Fundraiser for Julia’s House, said: “The Great Tail Trail will be one of the biggest interactive public art trails that BCP will have ever seen, sparking imagination and adventure among those taking part.
“We couldn’t hold such a huge, family-friendly initiative without the support of companies such as MSP Capital. They are one of our long-standing supporters and their help, as ever, is incredibly important.”
Founded in 1981, MSP Capital is a principal bridging and development lender offering funding solutions to property professionals up to £20 million.
For more information on the Tail Trail, visit Tail Trail | Julia’s House (juliashouse.org).