News / Christmas
Bristol’s Festive Penguin livestreamed across the world
Keeping up with the Joneses has led to one family in north Bristol being the proud custodians of a giant inflatable penguin above their porch.
This Christmas is the second appearance of the bobble-hatted bird, whose fame is spreading far beyond the confides of Westbury-on-Trym.
The flightless creature now has its own livestream via festivepenguin.com where its antics are broadcast across the world while raising money for charity.
is needed now More than ever
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=215975080700485
“At the darkest point of the winter I love that the streets are lit up with Christmas lights,” penguin whisperer Jonathan Harper explained to Bristol24/7.
“Last year, I joined in and brought a big inflatable light-up Festive Penguin and stuck it on top of our porch.
“In the wind and rain it kept falling off, to maximum amusement from my family, anyone walking past and friends on Facebook.
“This year, to save me from tears, Festive Penguin is fixed in place properly and for reasons I can’t quite explain it seemed like a sensible idea to live stream the flightless bird each day until New Year’s Day.
“This is a crazy idea that has slightly got out of hand, but one I hope can raise some cash for a well-deserving charity as I’m asking for people to donate toward the Carers Support Centre.”
Carers Support Centre help young carers aged eight- to 18-years-old in Bristol and South Glos, with these young people being the primary carer for someone in their family and taking on the responsibilities normally only expected of an adult.
You can donate via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/festivepenguin
Festive Penguin has become a familiar figure in Westbury-on-Trym – photo: Martin Booth
Jonathan added: “I am indebted to everyone that’s donated already, and to the team of tech and broadcast experts who have pitched in and helped put the livestream together.
“I’m also very grateful to a friend of mine, Katherine Jewkes, a brilliant arts producer who lives in Bristol and who brought everyone together for this. I thought it was simple to setup a livestream but I can now confirm it really is not!”
Main photo: Jonathan Harper
Read more: Thousands raised to save starving penguins
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