SouthGate Bath welcomes giant visitor for charity fundraising campaign

The SouthGate Bath shopping centre is set to host an extra special character to greet people doing their Christmas shopping this December.

Christmas at SouthGate Bath | Photo © SouthGate Bath

Standing at five metres tall, Pippin the giant penguin will be lighting up SouthGate Place over the coming weeks as he performs his light show, in aid of the centre’s charity partner St John’s Foundation.

Visitors will be able to make a contactless donation of £1 to see Pippin perform, with all funds raised going towards the crucial work of the charity in supporting under-served children and families in the local community.

Founded in 1174, over the past 850 years, the charity has played a vital role across Bath and North East Somerset, helping over 3,500 people every year.

St John’s supports older adults by providing housing, activities and outreach services.

Through its Best Start in Life initiative, the charity works to ensure that every child under 12 has the chance to grow up healthy, happy, and educated. They also offer funding support to individuals who have reached a point of crisis in their lives.

It comes as the shopping centre also announces the return of its popular snow flurries, which will take place at 4pm every day from now until Christmas Eve, giving visitors the chance to take the perfect snowy selfie.

Guy Henderson, centre director at SouthGate Bath, said: “St John’s Foundation is crucial to many in our community, especially over the Christmas period, so it’s great to partner for the second year running and continue to support their vital work.

“We’ve no doubt Pippin will be a hit with people of all ages as they visit the centre to pick up the perfect Christmas gift or festive outfit over the coming weeks, and we look forward to seeing customers enjoy the light show all in aid of a good cause.”

Catharine Brown, Interim CEO at St John’s Foundation commented: “We are thrilled to be partnering with SouthGate Bath once again, especially over Christmas.

“It’s wonderful to be able to have the support of the centre as we work to help those in the community that need our support this winter.”

Pippin’s arrival at SouthGate Bath comes following the success of this summer’s selfie arch, an interactive selfie station which offered visitors the perfect summer selfie and raised over £760 for St John’s Foundation.