The Bears of Sheffield is a public arts exhibition which celebrated everything that is wonderful about Sheffield and its surrounding areas. Following the success of the Herd of Sheffield which was also coordinated by The Children’s Hospital Charity, the trail brought together businesses, communities, artists and schools whilst supporting Sheffield Children’s.
The Bears have been brought to life by artists of all ages, and made a dramatic entrance in July 2021. There are 100 little bears and 60 big bears plus a very special Theo sculpture.
The big bears have been designed by professional artists far and wide both locally and internationally renowned. Each one has been sponsored by generous businesses and individuals.
The little bears may be smaller but their impact is just as big as they have been designed, painted and fundraised for by some beary talented children and young people. Each school is given a bear sculpture to decorate and in exchange they have to raise £750 through fundraising activity to take part in the project. All of the schools get their bear back at the end of the year.
12th July – 29th September – Bears take to the streets of Sheffield
14th-17th October – Bears Farewell at Meadowhall
18th October – Big Bears Auction at the Crucible
The Bears of Sheffield will help fund a new Cancer and Leukaemia Ward at Sheffield Children’s through donations, merchandise, sponsorship challenges and fundraising throughout the trail. At the end the Bears will also be auctioned off to the highest bidder to raise money!
You can help raise money during the Bears of Sheffield by donating, taking part in an event or registering for a fundraising pack.
The inspiration for the bear for the theme of the trail came from the link to the well known Sheffield bear in the Botanical Gardens and through the hospital and charity mascot, Theo the bear. There will also be a special Theo bear sculpture along the trail. The designer who created the Botanical Gardens Bear, David Mayne, has designed our bear which makes the trail extra special as they have been designed right here in Sheffield. They’ve also been made here too, thanks to the brilliant Simpson Ltd in Attercliffe who have ensured the bears are all Sheffield born and bred.
Although bears might be named grizzly, bears are gentle and tolerant by nature. They can be empathetic, joyful, playful and social in character. The personality of bears has been put into everything to do with trail.