Snowdog sculpture takes up residence in Kielder

Northumbrian Water has sponsored two Great North Snowdogs, created by two artists as part of an event organised by Wild in Art, in partnership with St Oswald’s Children’s Hospice.

The artists have decorated two colourful canines in homage to the areas they will be housed in.

“Patchwork Northumberland” or “Patch” will be making his home at Leaplish at Kielder Water & Forest Park.

Designed by Northumberland-based artist Daniel Weatheritt, Patch pays homage to
the beauty of Northumberland.

His head in the starry skies of Kielder, his behind in Kielder Reservoir and his middle in the rolling hills of the county.

Northumbrian Water’s other dog, “Essence of the North” or “Essie”, has been designed by Geoff Chappell and will stand between Newcastle’s Theatre
Royal and Grey’s Monument.

The two Snowdogs are also supplemented by two snowpuppies that have been donated to Kielder First School and Castle View Enterprise Academy in Sunderland.

The Great North Snowdog project aims to bring together businesses, artists, schools and community groups to create a public trail of 50 individually-designed dog sculptures based on the story of The Snowman and The Snowdog by Raymond Briggs.

They will be joined by a pack of around 100 little Snowdog sculptures designed by local schoolchildren.

Once the trail closes to the public in November, the Snowdogs will be auctioned to raise money for St Oswald’s Children’s Hospice.

Northumbrian Water’s director of corporate affairs Louise Hunter said: “We fell in love with the concept of the Snowdogs as soon as we heard about
it.

“Northumbrian Water is very proud of its diverse range of activity that supports local communities and the region as a
whole.”

Diane Nicholson, team leader and nurse at St Oswald’s Hospice, said: “We’re delighted that Northumbrian Water is sponsoring a pack of pooches and puppies for the trail.

“It’s projects like these that really help to showcase what a proud region we are.”