Otterly wonderful trail will help the hospice

 IT’S an otterly great idea by Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) to celebrate key workers – and proceeds from a special Otter Trail will deliver welcome support for Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity.

Winchester BID is the collective business-led organisation that works to raise the profile of the city, maintain a safe and secure environment, provide additional and improved services and facilities, and helps to create a flourishing environment for Winchester.

One of its latest campaigns is to host a free COVID-safe Otter Trail from Saturday, May 22 to Wednesday, June 30. 

Across the city, every participating shop and business will display a Key Worker Otter in its window and a brightly coloured window sticker showing a QR code that directs you to a website for more details plus a map of Otter locations.

During this event, participants, businesses and the wider local community will be able to bid to buy an individual otter via an online auction, accessed through the Winchester Hospice website, www.winchesterhospice.com.

The funds raised will be equally split between Winchester Hospice and the events company. To access the online auction, people will be able to scan the QR code on the brightly coloured window stickers and follow the instructions.

Sarah Davis, Business Improvement District Manager at Winchester BID, said: “We are so pleased and proud to be able to deliver this trail that celebrates the extraordinary lengths that key workers have gone to over the past year, and we are delighted to be raising funds for such an important local charity.”

Nick Vaughan, Chair of Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity, said: “Thank you to our friends at Winchester BID for supporting Winchester Hospice through the Key Worker Otter Trail. This is a brilliant idea, and it is a great tribute to the key workers who have made such a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

You will be able to download a free map, from the Winchester BID website, www.winchesterbid.co.uk from Friday, May 21 to use to help explore the city centre. The 30 Otters located around the city will represent different key worker roles including doctors, nurses, teachers, police, military, and many more. 

Participants can follow @WinchesterBID on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter for updates.