Girlguiding Oxfordshire has teamed up with Sobell House Hospice to launch a limited-edition challenge badge for this year’s OxTrail, Oxford’s first ever art sculpture trail, in aid of Sobell House Hospice, and will take over the city from 6 July 2024 for 8 weeks.
Around 85 schools and community groups are taking part in OxTrail as part of the mini oxen herd, which will be displayed in mini herds across the county in libraries, hotels and community spaces. Girlguiding Oxfordshire are currently fundraising for four mini oxen: one each for the Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Ranger sections. These oxen will be displayed in the Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford City Centre.
The challenge badges are £1.50 each, plus post and packaging and are available to all girl guides across the UK from oxfordshiregirlguiding.org.uk/member-support/challenge-badges/oxtrail-2024-challenge-badge. The fundraising for the oxen will be from the sales of this challenge badge, as they strive to reach their £4,000 target for Sobell House.
Sarah Cheetham from Girlguiding Oxfordshire, said: “The OxTrail Challenge badge is made up of six sections designed to encourage discussion and awareness of feelings. It looks at some key areas that are important to the patients, and families, at Sobell House. Each section has a variety of activities and can be completed during their weekly meetings. We are incredibly excited to be involved with this spectacular Oxfordshire event, we created the challenge badge as we believe it is very important, we ensure our young members understand the importance of the cause.”
Amelia Foster, CEO at Sobell House Hospice Charity, said: “Community is at the heart of this project, so we are very excited to see the Girlguiding getting involved. The Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers have all done an incredible job decorating their oxen and we can’t wait for everyone to see them when the trail goes live this, Summer.”
As part of the trail, Sobell House has teamed up with Oxford Brookes University to offer the OxTrail Learning Programme to engage with children across the county, to date more than 37,580 young people have had access to the educational tools.
OxTrail is being held in partnership with Wild in Art. Cities across the world have famously brought their streets to life via Wild in Art installations including Manchester, Sydney, Cape Town and São Paulo.
Once the trail is over, many of the sculptures from the trail will be auctioned off to graze in their forever homes. The funds raised through the auction will help to fund the life-enhancing care that Sobell House Hospice provides.
For more information on OxTrail visit www.oxtrail2024.co.uk.
