The magic of The Great Tail Trail
We were delighted to sponsor a tail in The Great Tail Trail. Over 40 giant mermaid tail sculptures made a splash in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) from April to June 2025 with the launch of The Great Tail Trail. This was an exciting community art adventure that raised money for Julia’s House children’s hospice and was delivered in partnership with Wild in Art.
The Great Tail Trail timeline
Julia’s House: A beacon of hope for families
Julia’s House is a lifeline for families caring for a child with a life-limiting condition. Julia’s House help families navigate the challenges of caring for a seriously ill child.
Their dedicated team provides practical and emotional support, both in the home and at their hospices. They believe that every family deserves peace, love, and understanding during challenging times.
Your donation can make a real difference. Together, we can ensure that these families receive the care and compassion they need.
A decade of dedication to Julia's House
For over a decade, we have been committed to supporting Julia's House children's hospice. We've participated in numerous events, from bike rides to bake sales, to raise money for this incredible charity.
"We're so grateful and excited that Bournemouth Water has decided to dive in and sponsor one of the mermaid tail sculptures on next spring's Great Tail Trail across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole," said Laura Maidment, Public Fundraising Manager for Julia's House.
" Bournemouth Water is a fantastic supporter of Julia's House and we're really looking forward to working with them on this exciting project that brings together businesses, artists, schools and the general public in a large-scale community event that will raise vital funds for the families cared for by Julia's House in Dorset."
You can help too! Join us in supporting Julia's House and make a difference in the lives of children with life-limiting conditions.
Meet Becky Dodd, the artist behind our mermaid tail
We were thrilled to have local artist Becky Dodd bring our mermaid tail to life for The Great Tail Trail. Her playful and colourful designs made a real splash!
Inspired by her love of surfing and coffee, Becky’s designs are full of life and personality. She loves breathing life into overlooked spaces by designing joyful, large-scale conversation pieces. She paints for many local businesses, including Grounded Coffee, The Saltwater Sauna, The South Coast Makers Store, and Sturminster Marshall Golf Club.
"The Wild in Art Lion Trail that came to Bournemouth in 2011, when I was just 11, was the spark that lit my passion for drawing and set me on the road to creating public art. That experience showed me how art can bring overlooked spaces to life and get people talking through fun, joyful designs. Tattoos are such an amazing way for people to express themselves and tell their stories, so with the "Tattooed Mermaid," I wanted the design to be something everyone could relate to. I filled the mermaid with playful, whimsical illustrations and positive messages to show off her adventurous, fun-loving personality!"
Rebecca Dodd, Artist/Illustrator
Our mermaid tail
Our mermaid tail transformed into a stunning piece of art. It was displayed at the Bournemouth International Centre from 5th April until 1st June 2025.
Together we raised £485 for Julia’s House!
We were proud to sponsor a mermaid tail in the Great Tail Trail, bringing colour and creativity to the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) coastline while supporting a truly special cause.
As part of our pledge, we donated 25p for every visitor who used the official Tail Trail app to unlock our sculpture. Thanks to your incredible support, our tail was unlocked 1,942 times, raising a total of £485 for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.
We’re so grateful to everyone who took part, explored the trail, and helped us make a real difference to local families.
Thank you for joining us on this magical journey.
Bournemouth Water makes a splash by sponsoring local community art event
