Children supported by Julia’s House children’s hospice had a colourful and messy half term week, as they helped artist, Hannah Dosanjh, to create a very special mermaid tail sculpture for The Great Tail Trail, which opens to the public across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) next spring.
Hannah, a Wiltshire-based artist, illustrator and muralist, recently worked with the Julia’s House hospice in Devizes to create a colourful balloon dog sculpture for The Big Dog Art Trail in Swindon during 2023.
“We were delighted to welcome Hannah back to help the children create ‘Sandy’, a vibrant patchwork mermaid tail in ice-cream colours,” explains Natalie Sheehy, Lead Nurse for the Dorset hospice. “Each patch will features a handprint or drawing by a Julia’s House child, sibling or a member of staff. It was really important to us to involve the children in the creation of their own mermaid tail, and we can’t wait to see Sandy take its place on the trail when it opens on 5 April.”
After visiting the hospice Sandy, who is kindly sponsored by sealing technology manufacturer, Superior, was a special guest at the Julia’s House Sibling Ball, where brothers and sisters of Julia’s House children were also able to add their own artwork to the patchwork tail.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with the children and Julia’s House staff, it’s been so much fun! The children have discovered lots of different ways of printing with their hands and feet, ” explains Hannah. “What’s really stood out for me is the enjoyment everyone’s had and I’m really looking forward to seeing the reaction the tail gets from the public when The Great Tail Trail opens.
“I came up with the design for Sandy by imagining lots of squares stitched together like a patchwork, so the children could each paint a square of their own. The colours I chose reflect Dorset because they are all seaside, ice cream colours – and everyone loves ice cream!”
Going live in April 2025
The Great Tail Trail will be fin-tastic for families and free to take part in during the 8 weeks it is open from 5 April until 1 June 2025. 45 of the giant mermaid tail sculptures like Sandy will be on display in popular locations across BCP, providing a community art adventure for everyone to enjoy and raising vital funds and awareness for the work of Julia’s House.
Julia’s House cares for some of Dorset’s most seriously ill children, many of whom have rare or life-limiting conditions and will not survive into adulthood. The charity’s team of dedicated nurses and carers provide essential clinical and respite care, support parents practically and emotionally and offer a listening ear to worried and anxious siblings. Its flexible care caters to the needs of the whole family and may take place in their home, out and about in the community or at the Dorset hospice located in Corfe Mullen.
Once the trail is over there’s a mer-mazing opportunity for you to get your hands on your own very own mermaid tail sculpture, when Sandy and the other giant tails are auctioned in aid of Julia’s House at the Italian Villa, Compton Acres on 20 June.