The giant sand drawing in Bridlington beach with the message “wish I was there”, created with Sand In Your Eye and Barnardo’s youth ambassadors.
On a blustery day in Bridlington, the vast expanse of the North Sea coastline became an unexpected canvas for a powerful and poignant message. As the tide receded, under the banner of the children’s charity Barnardos, we and Barnardo’s youth ambassadors, meticulously crafted a colossal sand drawing that stretched 50 metres across the sand.
We have been creating sand drawings on Yorkshire beaches for over 15 years and we love to develop what we do. This drawing had real emotion to it and we are incredibly pleased with the results. Led by Jamie Wardley, our team set out early to create this beach art on Bridlington Beach.
The image itself was a striking one: a beautiful, swirling representation of a child, the lines etched with precision into the wet sand. But the true power of the artwork lay not just in its scale or its beauty, but in the stories it represented. It was a visual reminder of “Parents desperately want to give their children special summer memories – but the reality is, many are just trying to survive.” 
It’s a powerful reminder that 7.6 million children across the UK are missing out on trips, days out, and activities this summer because of rising costs.
These moments aren’t just fun; they help children grow, build confidence and make memories that last a lifetime.
The piece is part of their campaign against child poverty and Ruth Welford, assistant director of children’s services at Barnardo’s, said many families across the UK are struggling to afford to feed their children.
Ruth says: “I’ve been at Barnardo’s for nearly 30 years, but some of the recent stories I’ve heard from colleagues at the charity have stopped me in my tracks.
“A pregnant woman choosing between paying her bills and eating a meal. A dad needing heart surgery, losing his job and in debt, simply unable to feed his children. It is devastating that families in the UK are living in such awful circumstances.
“Many families are struggling to afford to feed their children, so unfortunately trips to the beach or days out at the zoo don’t even factor into their plans. Millions of children are in danger of growing up without any fun summer memories.”
Every child deserves a chance to be there.
Barnardos has been a lifeline for children in need since its founding in 1866 by Thomas Barnardo. From providing shelter for homeless children in Victorian London to offering vital support to families facing poverty and neglect today, the charity has adapted its work to meet the ever-changing needs of society. The sand drawing at Bridlington was a way to highlight the struggles many parents still face, and to highlight the work that still needs to be done.
Creating such a large-scale piece of art on a beach is an act of both beauty and impermanence. We knew that the tide would eventually return, washing away the creation and leaving no trace. This temporary nature was, in itself, a powerful metaphor. Sand drawings and beach art by their nature are a sustainable way to get a big message across. We love creating images that are fleeting and of the moment.
The public’s reaction to the sand drawing was a testament to its impact. People stopped to watch the artists at work, taking photographs and reflecting on the message behind the art. It sparked conversations about childhood poverty, mental health, and the importance of looking out for one another. It transformed a simple walk on the beach into a moment of collective contemplation and empathy.
The Barnardos sand drawing was more than just a magnificent piece of artwork. It was a powerful call to action for anyone who believes in a brighter future for all children. As the waves of the North Sea slowly erased the image, the memory of its message remained, etched not in sand, but in the hearts and minds of all who were fortunate enough to witness it.
