Waddle on Sea: Supporting Havens Hospices, One Penguin at a Time

At loveit coverit, we’ve always believed in doing more than just business. We’re a local company, staffed by local people, and deeply connected to the community around us. That’s why we’re proud to be part of Waddle on Sea, the spectacular art trail taking over Southend and Leigh-on-Sea this summer, raising money and awareness for Havens Hospices.

But this isn’t just a sponsorship to us. It’s personal.

A Charity That Changes Lives

Over the past few weeks, I’ve taken time out to visit Fair Havens in Southend and Little Havens in Benfleet – to see, hear, and feel what Havens Hospices really does for the people in our community. And I can honestly say it was both humbling and inspiring.

Behind the scenes of these tranquil spaces are teams of people who pour their hearts into making life easier, brighter, and more meaningful for children, adults and families facing an unimaginable reality, life-limiting and incurable conditions.

From the moment I stepped through the doors, I could feel the difference. At Little Havens, I watched children laughing in the garden with their families, playing in spaces designed to feel like home, not hospital. I saw the sensory rooms, the hydrotherapy pools, the play areas, each built to offer joy, comfort and relief. At Fair Havens, I spoke to staff about their outreach work, supporting people not just within the hospice walls, but in their own homes too, creating tailored care that puts the patient first.

I also heard stories. Stories of dreams made real. Of families given space to breathe. Of loved ones able to share meaningful moments in peace. It’s hard to describe just how powerful these places are, but I left with the overwhelming sense that Havens Hospices don’t just support people in dying, they help them truly live until the end.

penguins preview

Meet Our Penguin: Harmony

To help support their vital work, we’ve sponsored one of the 31 giant penguins forming the Waddle on Sea trail – and you’ll find Harmony standing proudly outside Adventure Island on Southend seafront.

Created by the incredibly talented artist Sally Chinea, our penguin captures all the charm and character of Southend, from seafront fun to community spirit, in one joyful sculpture. It’s a bright, bold tribute to the place we’re proud to call home.

If you’re in the area this summer, stop by and see her, and don’t forget to snap a selfie. In fact…

New Competition Coming Soon!

We’ll soon be launching a public photo competition to celebrate our penguin’s place in the trail. We want to see your best snaps of Harmony in her iconic spot by the sea – with prizes up for grabs for the most creative entries. Keep an eye on our socials and website for full details:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/loveitcoverit
Instagram: www.instagram.com/loveitcoverit/

Creativity at Our Core

This isn’t our first waddle around the block. We previously took part in Havens’ Heard in the City elephant trail, and loved every minute. Back then, our team got stuck in with a decorate-your-own-elephant competition, and this year was no different.

To mark the launch of Waddle on Sea, we ran a papier-mâché penguin decorating contest at loveit coverit HQ, challenging staff to channel their inner artist. The results? Let’s just say, the creativity was off the charts. Our judge, none other than Sally Chinea herself, kindly picked the winners, and we’ll be sharing photos of the entries very soon.

penguin competition winners

Join the Trail

Running from 11 July to 3 September 2025, Waddle on Sea is a fantastic, free day out for families, friends, and penguin spotters of all ages. With 31 large sculptures and 72 baby penguins scattered across Southend and Leigh-on-Sea, there’s plenty to discover – and every sculpture you find helps raise funds for Havens’ life-changing care.

Visit the trail: www.waddleonsea.co.uk
Learn more about the cause: www.havenshospices.org.uk

We’re proud to be a part of this meaningful project. And we’re even prouder to support a charity that gives so much to so many.

So, whether you’re strolling the seafront or making memories with family – make this summer count. Grab some official Waddle-on-Sea merchandise an go find a Penguin. Better yet, start with ours!