A giant pair of inflatable trousers will take centre stage across Bristol and the South West as part of a tour marking the countdown to this year’s Wallace & Gromit’s Wrong Trousers Day.
Image: The Wrong Trousers installation at Bristol Cathedral
Standing at an impressive five metres tall and decorated with iconic Wallace & Gromit-style cheese motifs, the oversized trousers will appear at a series of high-profile local venues.
This year, Wallace & Gromit’s Wrong Trousers Day will take place on Friday 19 June. The annual fundraising day, led by The Grand Appeal, raises money for Bristol Children’s Hospital and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital by encouraging people to don their wackiest trousers for the right to donate.
The ‘Trousers Tour’ began at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, where the installation arrived in time for the start of the May half term holidays. On Wednesday 27 May, the travelling trousers arrived in the city centre, where it was installed in the South Quire Aisle inside Bristol Cathedral, a spectacularly silly sight! Visit them before Wednesday 3 June to get a selfie before they stride to their next location.
This year’s celebration carries added significance, marking 25 years since the opening of the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children on Upper Maudlin Street, as well as Aardman’s 50th anniversary. The hospital, which opened in 2001, was made possible in part thanks to the fundraising efforts behind Wallace & Gromit’s Wrong Trousers Day.
Originally launched in 1997, the fundraising initiative was one of the key campaigns that helped raise the £13 million needed to build the purpose-designed children’s hospital. Since then, the event has grown into an annual tradition by The Grand Appeal, continuing to support vital services for sick babies, children and their families.
Helen Haskell, head of fundraising, The Grand Appeal, said: “This is a really special year for all of us, as we celebrate 25 years of Bristol Children’s Hospital and Aardman’s 50th anniversary; two milestones that make this year’s Wallace & Gromit’s Wrong Trousers Day feel even more meaningful. We’d love people across the region to get out and about, spot the giant trousers on tour and share their best selfies with us along the way. And if you’re feeling inspired, why not sign up and join in on the day itself to help raise vital funds for sick children and babies across Bristol and the South West?”
Wallace & Gromit’s Wrong Trousers Day invites people across the region to swap their usual attire for their wackiest and most ludicrous legwear in exchange for a donation. Each year, thousands of participants, including schools, workplaces, hospital wards and individuals take part, bringing bursts of colour, creativity and fun to communities across the South West.
Funds raised go towards supporting Bristol Children’s Hospital and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital, helping to provide life-saving care and resources for critically ill babies and children.
Those wishing to take part can sign up online, while donations can also be made to support the cause at www.grandappeal.org.uk. For the latest updates on the tour, follow Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal on Facebook and @thegrandappeal on Instagram.
Thanks go to Exclusive Ballooning for their support with the tour and all the venues taking part.
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