c2c develops special ‘rover’ ticket to make ‘Waddle-on-Sea' charity art trail accessible for all

July 9, 2025

Local rail company c2c is once again sponsoring Havens Hospices’ annual art trail and has announced it will be offering a special reduced rail fare to help more visitors enjoy the event.

After a successful partnership on two previous art trails, Hares About Town and Herd In The City, Havens Hospices is working with Wild in Art to deliver a third extraordinary public art trail, Waddle-on-Sea, with c2c proud to sponsor the event.

For over six weeks from Friday 11 July 2025, the City of Southend will be brought to life with a huddle of beautifully painted penguins and baby penguins displayed from Leigh-on-Sea to Shoeburyness.

A newly created c2c ‘rover’ ticket - available for both adults and children - will allow customers to hop on and off the train as they follow the penguin trail along the Essex Riviera.

Havens Hospices’ Project Manager, Vanessa Harvey, said, "We are absolutely thrilled to have c2c as a sponsor for Waddle-on-Sea and can't wait for the trail to come alive. Fundraising events like this help us raise vital funds so we can continue providing free specialist care and support for babies, children, young people, and adults living with an incurable condition. This wouldn't be possible without the generous support of companies like c2c, and we're truly grateful for their partnership."

The c2c penguin – location to be revealed very soon – has been designed by local artist Claudia Rose Davis, whose moving story about her link with Havens Hospices is explained in this special video, which can be watched, here.

Rob Mullen, c2c’s Managing Director, said, “We are so excited to once again be sponsoring Havens Hospices Art Trail, especially as we have been lucky enough to partner with Claudia Rose, a wonderful local artist with a powerful story to tell.

“We want visitors to take the train for a fun-filled family day out and support the invaluable work of Havens in our community, so this new rover ticket will help to make the trail more accessible by train. Being one of this year’s Waddle-on-Sea Sponsors fills everyone at c2c with great pride.”

Artist Claudia Rose Davis, whose design was selected as c2c’s sponsored penguin, said, “Being part of Waddle-on-Sea means more to me that just painting a penguin. It is a way of giving back to Havens Hospices, who provided compassionate care to my loved ones during their final days. I also believe in the uplifting power of art. Creating something beautiful can bring joy to others and I hope this trail does that.”

The full design of the c2c penguin will be revealed on the day of the trail launch and will proudly stand in situ near one of c2c’s station.

About the special c2c rover ticket

The special c2c rover ticket for those visiting the Waddle-on-Sea Art Trail will be an unlimited off peak £6 flat fare for adults, and £2 for children, for travel between all stations from Shoeburyness to Leigh-on-Sea.

The rover ticket will be available to purchase from ticket offices only between 11 July and 3 September 2025.