Sheffield-based Twinkl has partnered with The Children’s Hospital Charity to support schools during the lead-up to the anticipated Bears of Sheffield sculpture trail which is due to take to the streets this summer.
Sheffield-based Twinkl has partnered with The Children’s Hospital Charity to support schools during the lead-up to the anticipated Bears of Sheffield sculpture trail which is due to take to the streets this summer.
The trail, which has been rescheduled from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to be even bigger and better whilst following guidelines to ensure it is safe to be enjoyed by all.
The educational publisher has created resources for all schools taking part to download and use, as well as providing design support for a select number of participating schools, helping to bring to life 100 little bears for the trail.
The ‘Bears of Sheffield’ is coordinated by The Children’s Hospital Charity, following the success of its hugely popular ‘Herd of Sheffield’ elephants in 2016 which saw sculptures created by Sheffield’s own Pete McKee, Geo Law and even one signed by the Artic Monkey themselves.
The aim for the Bears is to raise even more money than the Herd of Sheffield which generated an impressive £610,000. Each school who has signed up to the project has been tasked with raising £750 for their bear and this is where Twinkl come in.
Twinkl is thrilled to be supporting schools by offering free specially-made educational resources, created in-house by professional designers and teachers. The materials will help teachers and children throughout the project, with activities to help their fundraising, fun classroom activities like making bear masks, as well as help designing the bear itself from the initial concept to adding the finishing touches.
Twinkl’s reading education pack will feature a range of engaging information and fundraising resources, which will not only showcase the work and importance of The Children’s Hospital Charity, but will also help raise lots of money for Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s Cancer and Leukaemia ward.
Those requiring extra help or inspiration for the design of their bear will have the opportunity to be visited by professional artists and qualified teachers from Twinkl, the creative team behind the company’s globally renowned resources and books.
Jonathan Seaton, Co-founder and CEO of Twinkl, said
“We are absolutely delighted to be the Official Education Partner of the Bears of Sheffield. Not only will it bring together the wonderful community we have in the city, but the money raised will transform the Cancer and Leukaemia ward, which will help make a vital difference to children here and across the UK.”
Jonathan continues, “We are also excited to be working with schools throughout the process. We hope that the resources and help from our illustrators will encourage schools across Sheffield to get involved with the campaign and support such a worthwhile cause. The elephants created by schools in 2016 were incredible so I can’t wait to see the different designs that are created this year!”
Cheryl Davidson, Project Manager for the bears, said: “I’m very pleased to be able say Twinkl will be helping schools. For some schools decorating a bear will be second nature, but for others they might need a bit of encouragement. We want every school to feel they have the support and guidance they need to not only decorate a beautiful bear but to enjoy the process and take away a new set of skills.
“As much as the bears are about raising money for charity, they’re also about giving schools the opportunity to work together as a team, develop their knowledge and skills and have a great time in the process.”
100 Little Bears will be joining the sculpture trail this July along with 60 big bear sculptures which will be decorated by chosen artists and sponsored by local businesses. After the trail, each Little Bear will be returned to the school, nursery or college as a permanent memento of the project.