While the sight of giant Gromit statues might be a bit unnerving to some, folks in and around Bristol woke up Monday morning surrounded by 80 giant Gromit statues strategically placed around the city and they seemed to be ok with it. Most everyone, that is. From the ‘Department of Is Nothing Sacred’, it seems as though Gromit’s grand day out in Bristol began with a bit of vandalism when the 5-foot statue designed by Joanna Lumley had its tail smashed off in College Green. Adding insult to injury, a second Gromit was knocked off its base platform in Bristol City Centre. Despite the destruction, Gromit’s Unleashed has gotten off to a brilliant start.
 

The Gromit statues, which will be auctioned off for the charity in October, are part of this years Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal campaign. Each statue has been designed by an artist or celebrity with the idea to raise money to go towards new equipment for the Bristol Children’s Hospital. This year’s initiative kicked off with Nick Park, Oscar-winning creator of Wallace and Gromit, bringing many of the sculptures into the city on a special steam train. Among the designers of the 80 giant Gromits, which will be auctioned in October, are Harry Hill, Jools Holland, Trevor Bayliss, Joanna Lumley, Quentin Blake, Cath Kidston, Paul Smith, Aardman’s own Nick Park and Peter Lord and One Direction’s, Zayn Malik.
 

If you find yourself in or around Bristol (or London’s Paddington Station) this summer, download the Gromit Unleashed trail map and visit all 80 locations. Let us know what your favorite is and send us a photo to post. I’m guessing Gromit’s favorite location will be the one in Cheddar Gorge. The statues are on display now through September 8 so print out the map or get the ‘Detect-O-Gromit’ app for your complete guide to all the locations.

Happy Gromit-spotting!.