This is an unmissable opportunity for you to pick up your very own beautiful penguin created by many of the North West's leading artists and have a permanent memento to enjoy for years to come. Sixty three of our very beautifully crafted and popular penguins take the starring role in the online auction, raising funds for charities. From 9:00am on Wednesday 3rd February 2010, sixty three Penguins will be available for you to view and bid on online, but don't wait as bidding for the first lot closes at 12-noon on Friday 5th February 2010. Go directly to the auction site to register and find out more about bidding, or download the auction catalogue with a listing of all 63 penguins to view at your leisure.

Fund Raising News £20,000 Raised for Liverpool Charities Go Penguins and Presenting Partners Home Bargains have already raised an impressive £20,000 for the Liverpool Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal through the sale of ‘Paint Your Own Penguin’. By giving a home to one of our penguins, you can help us raise even more money for those who need it most.

The Charities

Please remember that our penguins have a very serious job to do in raising money for charity, with 75% of auction proceeds going to the Liverpool Lord Mayor's Charity appeal and WWF - UK (World Wide Fund for Nature).

  Liverpool Lord Mayor's Charity Appeal (reg charity 229539)

The Lord Mayor's Charity Appeal will receive 50% of the net proceeds from the Auction
Each year, the serving Lord Mayor raises money during his term in office for local charities to enable them to continue their invaluable work for the people of Merseyside. During 2009/10, the Lord Mayor is proud to be associated with the following charities:

		The Alder Hey Imagine Appeal Alder Hey's Imagine Appeal ensures that the pioneering work of Europe's largest children's hospital continues and makes a real difference to the 200,000 young patients we see each year. With your support, Imagine provides all those extra things that make life more bearable for children in hospital. From the latest medical equipment to facilities and improving the environment for patients and their families, every donation counts. In addition, Imagine funds research into those conditions that our children suffer from today in the hope that they won't suffer from them in the future.
		Global Hope Global Hope is the umbrella title of Hope's charitable volunteering projects overseas offering opportunities for staff and student volunteers to help increase the educational capacity of communities in developing countries around the world improving the educational and life chances of many children living in these areas. More than 120 students and 100 staff at Liverpool Hope University have participated in overseas projects over the last 20 years with teams travelling to schools and communities in a growing list of countries, including Brazil, Egypt, India, Malawi, Romania, South Africa, Uganda and Tibetan communities across the world.
		Liverpool Carter’s Working Horse Monument Fund For more than ten years the Liverpool Retired Carters Association has been fundraising to erect a life size bronze monument of a Liverpool Working Horse. The Carters and their horses worked tirelessly in all weathers and right through the two World Wars, keeping essential supplies moving. Their work was highly skilled and they made a huge contribution to Liverpool's economy. Situated on the waterfront, the monument will provide a forum for both education and debate as well as a lasting memorial to those whose skill, determination and enthusiasm made Liverpool the city it is today.
		Radio City’s Cash for Kids The official charity of Radio City, Citytalk and Magic 1548, Cash for Kids is a children’s charity recognised for helping children and young people suffering from poverty, sickness, physical & mental disabilities. They distribute grants to children’s charities & community groups aiming to improve the lives of children in Liverpool, North West and North Wales. Below is a small selection of some of the charities they have helped in the last 12 months: · Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Development, Eccleston, Chester · Longview Youth Club Performance Studios · Wirral Women and Children’s Aid · Happy days Children’s Charity · SPAN · Anthony Nolan Trust · Viking Centre and Youth Centre · Claire House: · Whizz – Kids · The Ferries and Port Sunlight Family Groups · Youth Federation · West Wirral Boys Club
		Henshaw’s Society for the Blind Henshaws Society for Blind People gives expert care, advice and training to anyone affected by sight loss, right where it's needed most. They also work with people with learning and physical disabilities, as well as their family, friends and colleagues. They carry out their invaluable work in the North of England, with centres and communities in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Newcastle, Harrogate and Knaresborough. Each of the centres offer different services and programmes - but all have a common goal: to enable the people who use them to live an independent and fulfilling life.

  WWF-UK (reg charity 1081247)

The WWF - UK (World Wide Fund for Nature) will receive 25% of the net proceeds from the Auction
WWF’s work is all about people living in harmony with nature. We’re best known as the world’s leading wildlife conservation charity, helping safeguard endangered species. But there’s more to our work than many people realise. The money raised is used in a three equally vital and exciting ways.

• Firstly, safeguarding the natural world. Not just protecting rare wildlife, but also: forests, crucial for regulating the world’s climate; oceans and their dwindling fish stocks; and rivers and lakes, which provide fresh water for people and animals.
• Secondly, tackling climate change. Climate change affects all the work we do. Our approach includes measuring Arctic sea ice loss – a key indication of global warming – and campaigning for a strong, fair, binding international climate deal.
• Thirdly, changing how we live. Encouraging everyone to reduce use of natural resources and lessen our impact, or ‘footprint’, on the natural world.

WWF don’t just work directly with vulnerable species and the communities living around them. We work with businesses – emphasising sustainable development and long-term benefits over short-term gains. Also with politicians – to introduce and strengthen laws protecting environments, people and wildlife.

Liverpool Unites (reg charity 327489)

Liverpool Unites will receive 75% of the net proceeds from the auction of 'The People's Penguin'
Liverpool Unites exists to help communities on Merseyside improve the lives of underprivileged children and young people. By campaigning, fundraising and profile raising, Liverpool Unites supports local charities and community groups that aim to positively engage children and young people by inspiring them to break the cycle of crime and poverty, giving them hope, purpose and ambition.