Two of Swindon’s biggest leisure and retail providers, Better (GLL) and McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon, have signed up to be part of The Big Dog Art Trail in Swindon in 2023. They will each sponsor one of the 30 super-sized Swindogs which will create the UK’s first-ever balloon dog art trail and raise vital funds for the local children’s hospice charity, Julia’s House.
Better (GLL) and McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon join Imagine Cruising, NSBRC, Intel, Nationwide, Swindon Advertiser, the Swindon Wildcats, Jazzbones and the inSwindon town centre BID as sponsors of The Big Dog Art Trail.
Become a Big Dog Sponsor

Better (GLL) operate leisure centres, swimming pool, gyms, libraries, theatres, playgrounds and more. They run five leisure and fitness centres in Swindon – all of which are run in a charitable, community focused way.
Barnaby Rich, Partnership Manager for Better, said, “We’re delighted to be a sponsor and supporter of The Big Dog Art Trail, raising vital funds for Julia’s House. Better’s values are rooted in charitable activity, supporting communities in being more active and bringing families together for their leisure time. We hope this fantastic trail will have a positive impact on Swindon and the wider community.”
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon is set within the beautiful heritage buildings of the Great Western Railway works. There are more than 100 shops to explore and visitors will also find cafes, restaurants and a children’s play area. Next summer, there might be a Swindog or two to spot at the Designer Outlet.
Tina Cumpstey, Centre Manager for McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon, said, “We are proud to be part of The Big Dog Art Trail and to be able to support Julia’s House with an exciting and engaging trail for all the family to enjoy.”
Chris Hyde, Project Manager for The Big Dog Art Trail explains, “Sponsoring a Swindog, and joining The Big Dog Art Trail pack, will bring your company some paws-ome benefits. You will be part of an event which brings thousands of visitors to your local community in Swindon. The trail will improve brand awareness for your business or organisation in a unique and memorable way that will get everyone talking. It will help you build a feel-good factor among your employees, customers and stakeholders. You will be raising funds for Julia’s House children’s hospice charity, helping them to continue their amazing work in your local community.”
The Big Dog Art Trail will run from 15 July to 3 September, 2023, and end with a grand farewell weekend where all of the stunning Swindog sculptures will be brought together under one roof. The giant one-of-a-kind creations will then head off to their forever homes after being adopted at a special auction event to raise money for Julia’s House children’s hospice.
The Big Dog Art Trail is being brought to Swindon by Julia’s House and global public art producer Wild in Art, who has previously hosted trails in cities across the UK and worldwide.
Joining the Big Dog pack brings lots of benefits
Chris added, “Sponsoring a Swindog, and joining The Big Dog Art Trail pack, will bring any company, local or national, some paws-ome benefits, helping boost brand awareness among the thousands of visitors who will visit the trail next summer – it’s going to be the most talked about event in Swindon next year. As well as engaging employees, customers and stakeholders, everyone involved will know they are raising vital funds to help Julia’s House continue to provide its lifeline of care for families in Swindon and across Wiltshire.”
Don’t miss out on the big community event in Swindon in 2023.
The Swindogs are coming… don’t miss out on your chance to be part of the BIG event next summer!
The Big Dog Art Trail will run from 15th July to 3rd September, 2023, and end with a grand farewell finale where all of the two-metre-high Swindog sculptures will be brought together under one roof. The giant one-of-a-kind creations will then head off to their forever homes after being adopted at a special auction event to raise money for the local children’s hospice charity, Julia’s House.
The Big Dog Art Trail is being brought to Swindon by Julia’s House and global public art producer Wild in Art, who has previously hosted trails in cities across the UK and worldwide, including the recent elephant parade in Worcester and Cows in Cambridge.
Want to get involved and join the Big Dog pack as an official Sponsor? Head over to our Sponsors page today to find out more.
Become a Big Dog Sponsor!Your donations make a life-changing difference
Julia’s House is your local children’s hospice charity, providing a lifeline of care for the most seriously ill children and their families across Wiltshire and Dorset.
Each family we support is unique and so is the care we provide. When a family finds out that their child has a very serious medical condition their world falls apart. Julia’s House exists to help these children and their families.
Find out more about Julia’s House
Join the conversation
#BigDogArtTrail
bigdogarttrail
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bigdogarttrail
Sep 29
Of the thousands of you who came and enjoyed The Big Dog Art Trail 2023 – we had many a smile, and a selfie!
Here some of the top tail-wagging pics we had sent in 🐶
Find out what exciting plans we have next by following us @JuliasHouseChildrensHospice or by signing up to our newsletter.
Link in our bio or here: www.juliashouse.org/BigDog
#bigdogarttrail #thebigdogarttrail2023 #wildinart #juliashousechildrenshospice #juliashousehospice #swindonarttrail #swindog #bbcwiltshire #bbcwest #visitengland #visituk #visitswindon #igersswindon #swindonsmallbusiness #swindonbusiness #swindonvolunteers #swindonlife #swindonartist #wiltshire #visitwiltshire …
bigdogarttrail
Sep 28
Bow-Wow what a summer it’s been! We’re so grateful for all of you who came along to enjoy the trail this year.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane on some of the trail’s top dog moments, including:
🐾 Hours of painstaking BTS scenes with our incredible artists hard at work
🐾 An exciting launch weekend
🐾 Fun in the sun on our Sponsor Selfie day
🐾 Farewell Weekend filled with all the pups back together again
🐾 Our Grand Auction, where we raised more than £165k for the incredible @JuliasHouseChildrensHospice
Thank you Swindon – we couldn`t have done it without you!
Don`t forget to follow @JuliasHouseChildrensHospice or sign up to our newsletter to find out what exciting plans we have next!
Link in our bio
#bigdogarttrail #thebigdogarttrail2023 #wildinart #juliashousechildrenshospice #juliashousehospice #swindonarttrail #swindog #swinpup #swindonsummer #outdoorconcerts #pimmsfestival #pimmsinthepark #swindonevents …
bigdogarttrail
Sep 27
Pup, pup and away!
They`ve loved their adventures across town, but the time has come for the Swinpups to go back home…
One of the most magical parts of The Big Dog Art Trail has been seeing the joy and creativity that the sculptures sparked in schools and community groups across Swindon.
We`re so grateful to every single teacher, leader, student, artist and supporter who helped to create the 42 Swinpups that made the trail absolutely paw-some.
And a special thanks to Swindon Borough Council, the trail`s Learning Programme Partner.
Get all the pup-dates and find out what`s next for Julia`s House by following @JuliasHouseChildrensHospice or by signing up to our newsletter. Link in our story. …
bigdogarttrail
Sep 24
The Big Dog Art Trail isn’t just about tail-wagging fun and stunning art…🐾
The trail supports the essential work of your local children’s hospice, Julia’s House, who offer practical and emotional support for families caring for a child with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions.
Thanks to your contributions to the trail this year, we’ve been able to raise vital funds to help Julia’s House provide a lifeline of care to the most seriously ill children and their families in Swindon and Wiltshire.
This will help more families access:
⭐ Emotional and practical support from expert nurses and carers
⭐ Respite sessions so they can take a break from caring around the clock
⭐ Bereavement advice and support
You can find out more about Julia’s House families and events by signing up to our newsletter here/via the link in our bio: www.juliashouse.org/BigDog
@JuliasHouseChildrensHospice
#bigdogarttrail #thebigdogarttrail2023 #wildinart #juliashousechildrenshospice #juliashousehospice #swindonarttrail #swindog #swinpup …
bigdogarttrail
Sep 23
If you missed out at our auction and would love a mini balloon dog of your own, we`ve got a paws-itively fab offer from @YappieDogs to share!
When you use promo code JH10, you`ll get 10% off their colourful range of resin balloon dogs. Plus Yappie Dogs will also donate £10 to Julia`s House on your behalf.
Just head to their website and enter the promo code JH10 to redeem the offer: www.yappiedogs.com
#bigdogarttrail #balloondogs #yappiedogs …
bigdogarttrail
Sep 20
Drumroll please… the results from our Grand Auction are in! 🥁
We had an incredible evening and bid-tastic time at the STEAM museum – raising a woofing £165,800 for @Juliashousechildrenshospice 🐶
All 34 auctioned Swindogs have now gone to their fur-ever homes to unleash a new life.
Thanks so much to everyone who bid on the night! Your support will help us continue to provide our lifeline of care to local families of seriously ill children.
#JuliasHouse #WildinArt @wildinart …