VALE residents will be greeted by some colourful canine friends as Ty Hafan children’s hospice launches its art sculpture trail, on Saturday, September 16.

The public art event, raising money for the hospice, will feature Snowdogs at the Barry Island beach huts and on Barry Island promenade.

In Penarth, the Marina, Pier, and Cliff Top will host the mutts.

Cardiff airport’s Snowdog will also welcome passengers.

Snowdogs: Tails in Wales will be the biggest ever mass-participation public art trail in Wales, highlighting the landmarks and open spaces and boosting the local economy in Cardiff and the Vale.

The event has been organised by children’s hospice charity T? Hafan, public art producers Wild in Art, and Penguin Random House.

The theme was inspired by The Snowman™ and the Snowdog, the animated sequel to Raymond Briggs’ iconic book and film The Snowman™.

Each Snowdog has been named and decorated with its own unique design with designs from both amateur and well-known artists including Julian McDonald and Steven Brown.

A Gareth Bale Snowdog is ready to score well with football fans.

There will also be 57 pups on the trail which have been designed by local schools and community clubs.

Each Snowdog is sponsored by a local business and individually designed by a different artist, and they are all on a mission to raise much-needed funds for T? Hafan to support children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Project manager Helen Gibbons said it was one of the hospice’s most exciting campaigns, as the Snowdogs trail will form part of everyday life for 10 weeks, with the giant dogs visible on the streets, parks, beaches and iconic buildings.

She said: “As well as raising money for children with life-limiting conditions, taking part in the trail will encourage friends and families to spend time together, exploring their favourite places around Cardiff and the Vale and rediscovering some of the areas hidden gems.

“At the hospice, one of our main goals is to enable families to make precious memories that last a lifetime – and that’s what we believe the Snowdogs: Tails in Wales trail will mean for families across south Wales, creating a shared experience for the whole community.”

The trail can be followed by downloading the Snowdogs: Tails in Wales app or by following the map which will be available from T? Hafan shops or the Tails in Wales website.

The trail will end on Sunday, December 10 and the Snowdogs will be auctioned on Tuesday, December 12.

For information, visit snowdogstailsin.wales