Those yet to complete the ‘Light the South’ Art Trail have just over two weeks left to lace up their trainers and cross the finish line.
Officially ending 1st September 2024, ‘Light the South’ features an epic trail of 40 eight-foot lighthouses, with 35 located in Southampton, 5 in Cowes, plus an additional 40 mini lighthouses on display in shop windows and other landmarks throughout the trail area. Each lighthouse is uniquely designed by local artists, celebrating the culture, heritage, and diversity of the South.
Supporting Southampton Children’s Hospital
The event, proudly presented by Red Funnel, was established in support of the Southampton Hospitals Charity, with funds raised going to the Southampton Children’s Hospital – a vital unit caring for young people and children across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Each original lighthouse sculpture includes a plaque bearing a unique code, which trail goers can enter into the official ‘Light the South’ app, available for free on the App Store and Google Play stores. Using the app, participants can ‘collect’ their lighthouses, track their progress toward key milestones, and best of all, unlock special offers.
Lighthouses have amassed thousands of visits
Since the start of the trail on 1st July, the lighthouses have amassed thousands of visits, with the most visited sculpture to date being “Supermarine Spitfire”, created by Tim Sutcliffe and located outside the Above Bar entrance to Westquay.
Special foot passenger rate
To make completing the trail even easier and bridge the gap over the Solent, Red Funnel is offering a special foot passenger rate to those who scan either of the ferry operator’s two sponsored lighthouses located near their ferry terminals: “Solent Ships” (Southampton) created by Martin Davey and “Light of Green” (East Cowes, Isle of Wight) created by Rachael and Phillippa Corcutt.
Those unlocking the special offer at either of these locations can benefit from a special £10 return adult foot passenger ferry fare, a £5 offer for children or a special £25 family rate. These exclusive travel offers are valid on either of Red Funnel’s ferry services, including the operator’s hi-speed Red Jet service between Southampton and West Cowes.
‘Light the South Window Spotting’ lighthouse trail
In addition to the main sculptures trail, Red Funnel has also launched a new offshoot: the ‘Light the South Window Spotting’ lighthouse trail. This exciting extension features 40 mini replicas of the trail lighthouses, displayed in 40 shop windows across Cowes and East Cowes, making for the perfect activity for locals and visitors looking for another challenge.
The ‘Window Spotting’ trail will be up until 12th September 2024. Anyone who completes this trail can enter to win one of ten ‘paint your own lighthouse’ sculptures by simply dropping their completed map into the Red Jet terminal at West Cowes, or Red Funnel terminal at East Cowes. To participate, trail goers can pick up a window spotting map at any Red Funnel terminal and start the hunt.
Both the main art trail and the ‘Window Spotting’ trail are free to follow.
Collect five “Little Light” sculptures
Followers of the trail can also collect five “Little Light” sculptures as designed by Island schools, displayed in shop windows through Cowes Town and enjoy display of eight bonus artist Little Lights at The East Side Curve in East Cowes, from 26th August for a week.
Collins: A lot of fun and a great way to spend time with friends and family
Fran Collins, CEO, Red Funnel said,
“The trail is a lot of fun and a great way to spend time with friends and family while also getting some exercise and enjoying the sunshine.
“Several of our Red Funnel colleagues have already completed the trail with their friends, colleagues or family – indeed, one of our colleagues and her children recently logged 22,000 steps finding all the lighthouses in just one day, proving that the Light the South trail can be completed as a one-day challenge.
“Of course, some may prefer to split the trail into smaller chunks over longer periods. Whichever way you prefer to take on Light the South, we just hope you give it a go, and most of all, have fun!”
Southampton International Boat Show
As a grand finale to Light the South, the large lighthouse sculptures will be on display at Southampton International Boat Show, before being auctioned off on 20th September at the event.
All proceeds will continue to support the vital work of the Southampton Children’s Hospital, helping them continue their specialist care for babies, children, and young people across the South of England, including the Isle of Wight.
For more information on Light the South, visit the website
To download the Light the South app, see here:
For information about Red Funnel’s Light the South foot passenger ferry travel offers, see the website.
News shared by Kaya on behalf of Red Funnel. Ed
