Marwell Zoo's Zany Zebras looks set to be the south's 'mane' event for 2016 with twenty-five business sponsors already showing their support.

From small family-run businesses such as Pickwell Farm to international brands such as Southampton Football Club and Cunard, organisations across Hampshire and beyond are stampeding, it seems, to be part of the colourful art extravaganza by sponsoring a Grevy's zebra sculpture.

Presented by the same Marwell team who were behind the hugely successful Go! Rhinos of 2013, Marwell's Zany Zebras is already even bigger and better, say the zoo. Go! Rhinos ignited community spirit, showcased the city of Southampton, enthused thousands of children about wildlife and conservation, inspired hundreds of thousands to get creative and raised more than £125,000 at the charity fundraising auction. Marwell Wildlife can't wait to do it all again ...

Kirstie Mathieson, Project Manager of Marwell's Zany Zebras said: "We are really excited to have secured twenty-five sponsors already. The fact that so many of the companies that have signed up are returning sponsors from Go! Rhinos is testament to the huge impact the project had on those businesses.

"In addition, we have had a fantastic response from other businesses and organisations that missed out on the fun of 2013 and couldn't wait to join the stampede this time."

For ten weeks from Saturday, 16th July, 2016, a 'zeal' of Marwell's Zany Zebras will gallop through the streets of Southampton creating a fun, family friendly trail for all to enjoy. One hundred of the region's schools and youth groups will also be decorating smaller sculptures that will feature on the trail as part of the project's Education Programme. In addition, a trail of replica miniature Marwell's Zany Zebras will be hidden within Marwell Zoo itself.

After the event, all of the large sculptures will be sold at auction to raise funds to conserve endangered Grevy's zebras and other wildlife, and to support communities living in the arid rangelands of northern Kenya.

Kirstie Mathieson added: "All shapes and sizes of organisations are signing up to Marwell's Zany Zebras - from law firms to shopping centres, venues to insurance firms - this project has something to offer everyone. Each sponsor brings a new element to Marwell's Zany Zebras and we are really excited to see this project develop.

"It's not too late to sign up - the more sponsors we have, the more sculptures there will be and the greater the trail next year".

The project offers sponsors numerous PR and marketing benefits, a unique way of engaging with the community as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility programme and fascinating content for social media, not to mention staff and client engagement opportunities.

For more information about Marwell's Zany Zebras, visit www.zanyzebras.org.uk.