Leeds Hospitals Charity has released bears into the wild for the 2023 Leeds Bear Hunt. 85 of the grizzly sculptures have been let loose for a large-scale public art trail of bears, roaming freely across Leeds City Centre from today – Saturday 1 July.
35 giant bears and 50 cute bear cubs have been designed by local artists and sponsored by local businesses and they are hidden around central Leeds and nearby public parks, ready to be discovered, paying tribute to Michael Rosen’s popular ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’.
Leeds Hospitals Charity hopes to raise over £300,000 from the wild art trail for crucial projects at Leeds Children’s Hospital that help improve the lives of the inspiring young patients at the hospital receiving treatment and care. In the last year alone, Leeds Hospitals Charity has funded a vast array of projects at the hospital, from ground-breaking research projects and innovative diagnostic technologies to specialist play staff and Christmas gifts.
The Bear Hunt is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors over the summer months and brings together the business and creative sectors with local schools and communities to celebrate Leeds’ diverse cultural offer and communities.
Paul Watkins, Director of Fundraising at Leeds Hospitals Charity: “Leeds is going on a bear hunt, and we can bear-ly contain our excitement! We’ve been blown away by the incredible talent of the artists, schools and communities and are so grateful to all our sponsors and partners who have helped bring the trail to life. We’re very lucky to have a dedicated hospital in Leeds that offers a comprehensive range of specialist paediatric services rivalling any children’s hospital in the country. The funds raised through Leeds Bear Hunt will help Leeds Children’s Hospital continue to provide exceptional treatment and care to poorly babies and children.”
Each bear has been uniquely designed by a local or national artist, or members of the local community, and developed in partnership with Wild in Art and Walker Productions/Lupus Films.
One of the 35 bear cubs was designed by Leeds Children’s Hospital patient, Hannah, who won the charity’s bear cub design competition with her colourful and heartfelt submission. Visitors should keep their eyes peeled for her paw-some ‘X’ bear when completing the trail.
11-year-old train enthusiast, Albie designed the intricate ‘Welcome to Leeds’ bear which depicts the evolution of the Leeds Railway Station’s architecture and locomotives from 1938 to present, with each section of the bear dedicated to each decade.
Leeds Bear Hunt explorers should keep watch for Leeds Rhino’s ‘I Wish I’d Been a Rhino’ bear which recently sploshed its way across the city centre for the Leeds 10K to raise funds for Leeds Children’s Hospital.
At the end of the trail, Leeds Hospitals Charity will auction off each of the 35 large bear sculptures to continue its mission to raise as much funding as possible for Leeds Children’s Hospital. Those who are lucky enough to win will not only help to fund a vital, local cause but will also own a very unique piece of art.
To embark on your own fun-filled discovery adventure, download the ‘Leeds Bear Hunt’ app here.
A broad range of volunteer opportunities is still up for grabs to support the 2023 Leeds Bear Hunt. For further information and to sign up to volunteer, head over to: https://volunteers.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/opportunities.
Transport Photographs: Thanks to Longs of Leeds, the official transportation partner of Leeds Bear Hunt, the bears arrived safely at their new homes across Leeds City Centre.
