This summer will see the steel city’s streets adorned with the ‘Bears of Sheffield’ sculpture trail, all to raise vital funds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
The trail will comprise of 60 big bears, standing at 2.1m tall, which are sponsored by local businesses, organisations, and families, as well as 100 little bears, fundraised for and decorated by schools, nurseries, and colleges.
Event Organiser Cheryl Davidson said: “The Bears of Sheffield will be a great opportunity for us to get outside, explore Sheffield, and celebrate our wonderful city, all for a good cause.
“It will showcase the vision, creativity and generosity of our community.
“Whether sponsoring a bear, shouting about the trail, donating, or taking on your own challenge or bear-themed event, we can’t wait for everyone to enjoy the trail this summer.”
The trail will begin exactly a year later than initially planned, after being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and hopes to fund a new Cancer and Leukaemia ward at the Hospital.
The Bears are being brought to life by artists of all ages, both amateur and professional, in isolation or in small groups, and have been produced by, Simpson Patterns Ltd.
After the trail is complete, each small bear will be returned to its school, nursery or college as a permanent memento of the project, with larger bears being auctioned off to raise even more funds.
The trail follows on from 2016’s massively successful Elephant trail, which raised over £410,00, and attracted 175,000 visitors to the city.
Councillor Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Leisure at Sheffield City Council said: “After the huge success of the elephant trail there is much anticipation and excitement to welcome the Bears of Sheffield across the city.
“At a time when our cultural sector has suffered so many challenges, the Bears will bring a fantastic collection of expression and vibrancy to Sheffield this summertime.”