Sponsors and artists have gathered at Government House ahead of this summer’s Dolphin Discovery Trail with the Lieutenant Governor commending all those involved in the upcoming fundraiser.
His Excellency, Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell CB, CBE began the evening by welcoming those who’ve sponsored one of the Dolphins that are destined to be decorated, put on display, and then auctioned off for charity.
He shared kind words with the artists doing the creative work, to help raise money for the two beneficiaries – Autism Guernsey and the GSPCA.
All 62 dolphins in the Dolphin Discovery Trail have been sponsored, with the artists hard at work getting the statues ready for public display.
Supported by Express as media partner, the Dolphin Discovery Trail will see each of them positioned across the island so people can visit them throughout the spring and summer months.
The Lieutenant-Governor referenced the previous iteration of the fundraiser back in 2023, and the money it raised for charity, when he issued a challenge to those involved.
“Two years ago, we sold 60 odd puffins, I can’t believe I ever thought I’d be saying those words, I don’t think it’s illegal? There’s one in the garden! This island raised over £140,000 for these two charities,” he said.
“Although I know that they haven’t set a target, I know everybody here will be hoping that we can at the very least match that amazingly generous figure, and support the GSPCA and Autism Guernsey in the fantastic work that they do to support our community, whether it’s on two legs, four legs, no legs, or anything else.”
The GSPCA is facing a challenging time at the moment. Not only are they undertaking a huge task in building their new animal hospital, but they’re still helping animals in need, even if the facilities aren’t fully operational at the moment, such was the case in the recent rescue of Swish the seal.
GSPCA Manager, Steve Byrne issued an appeal for places to display the Dolphins, due to architectural constraints and artistic placements.
“We are still appealing for a few locations as a couple of the companies may be on upper floors. We’ve had an appeal, if anybody lives along the coast. Everybody seems to want their dolphin looking out to sea, for some reason? I’m worried they might escape and we’ll be called out!
“We’ve got our biggest build in our 152 year history. It’s going to cost 3.7 million pounds. So if anybody’s got any loose change? We have raised £1.5 million and it is to build a brand new wildlife building hospital to help the seals like Swish, and it will also help with new kennels and other facilities, and exciting things like laundry rooms, which most people don’t think about when running an animal shelter!”
Autism Guernsey has faced financial challenges following the ending of a service providing grant of more than £100,000 from Children in Need.
Andrew Sparks is the Charities Treasurer and Director, he said fundraising efforts have continued but changes have had to be made to services.
“On behalf of Autism Guernsey, we’d like to thank the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Louise Cripwell, our patron, for allowing us to host our pre launch event here at Government House. Autism Guernsey’s financial difficulties have been well publicised, and it’s caused us to have to reevaluate the way we do things, and we’ve had to negotiate our services based on the funds that we receive, and therefore we’ve had to cut back.
“We’ve had to be more innovative in the way that we spend money. We’ve just recently launched an online resource package that allows people with autism to go online, 24/7, to help navigate and manage the neurotypical world that we take for granted. So tonight is the launch of the dolphins. It’s a pivotal event. It’s our largest fundraiser for Autism Guernsey, and we just want to say thank you to the sponsors for your support and to the artists, for the wonderful work that they do.”
Pictured; Steve Byrne and Andrew Sparks unveil the first two Dolphins ready for display. 
Pictured; Steve Byrne with the Dolphins sponsored by KPMG (Left) and Queens Road Medical Practice (Right). 
Pictured; The design for KPMG’s Dolphin was created by Schools Children at Amherst, whilst Queens Road Medical Practice’s was undertaken by students at Guernsey’s Ladies College. 
Pictured; The Dolphins surveying the room of sponsors and artists.
A Dolphin Discovery Trail 2025 Facebook page is live with a website soon to follow! You can find out more about the Dolphin Discovery Trail, the individual dolphins, the sponsors and artists HERE.
Each of the sponsors and artists will be promoted by Express during the upcoming weeks and months, giving everyone the chance to learn more about those involved with the Dolphin Discovery Trail.
If you are a sponsor or artist involved with the Dolphin Discovery Trail please contact amber@allisland.media to ensure you are included.
