Santander International sponsor one of Hospice Isle of Man's Big Splash dolphins

Santander International has partnered up with Hospice Isle of Man’s ‘The Big Splash’ to support the Wild in Art trail coming this year, as a large sculpture sponsor.

The Big Splash is the largest mass participation art event to ever come to the Isle of Man and will see a trail of over 30 life size Dolphins take centre stage on a public art trail live around the Island for 12 weeks this year, from May – September.

James Geldart, Managing Director of the Isle of Man branch of Santander International said, “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with Hospice Isle of Man with their Big Splash dolphin art trail this year.  We were very keen to be involved as there are so many positive aspects to this initiative – not only is this a fantastic opportunity for artists, but there’s also the educational focus with the Island’s schools and the art trail around the Island will give us all a great focus to get out and about our beautiful Island this summer.  We’re very much looking forward to seeing all the different designs and their locations and hope that the auctioning of the dolphins later in the year will break records for Hospice Isle of Man’s fundraising.”

This is the second Wild in Art trail that Santander International have supported, the first was Durrell’s Go Wild Gorilla trail, which encouraged Jersey residents and summer visitors to explore different parts of the island to see 40 different gorilla sculptures.  Chief Executive of Hospice Isle of Man, Anne Mills said, “It is an honour to have Santander International join us for The Big Splash in sponsoring one of our fantastic large dolphin sculptures. Their team have shown us incredible support in the past and have always expressed a delight in helping us.”

“Here at Hospice and at Santander International, we are sure that the free family-fun event; The Big Splash, which will go live across the Island in May will be welcomed with open arms by our local community after the last 18 months, and will ensure residents and visitors enjoy our beautiful island once again.”

More than 30 individually designed ‘life sized’ dolphin sculptures along with 30 baby dolphins (calves) will form a trail of discovery across the Island this summer, encouraging residents and visitors alike to explore our Manx environment from an exciting new perspective – whilst promoting our Biosphere, wellbeing and active lifestyles.  The Big Splash project has over 30 schools and nurseries from across the Island working with the education team and they will also help to design one of the baby dolphins which form part of the exciting trail.

 

Pictured (left to right) Mel Kermeen, Director of Income Generation and Relationships of Hospice Isle of Man, Anne Mills, Chief Executive of Hospice Isle of Man, James Geldart, Managing Director of Santander International and Jen Adams of Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch