Leeds Bear Hunt

Leeds
1 July 23  – 9 September 23
Leeds Hospitals Charity
Overview

We were thrilled to work with Leeds Hospitals Charity and Walker Books publishers to present Leeds Bear Hunt, the first Wild in Art trail in Leeds which splashed its way across the city in summer 2023.

The Bears formed a family-friendly trail of discovery, bringing Michael Rosen’s iconic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt story to life, and took visitors and locals alike on adventures around the city and surrounding open spaces.

Decorated by local, national and international artists, designers and illustrators, 35 giant Bear sculptures hid in plain sight for ten weeks on the streets and within the parks of Leeds, highlighting iconic spots and hidden gems, whilst engaging with our local communities.

The event celebrated the vibrancy, culture and creativity of Leeds, and culminated in an exciting auction evening where over £100,000 was raised for Leeds Children’s Hospital and their work with Leeds Children’s Hospital.

bear with sun glasses icon

254k+

Sculptures Unlocked

156k+

Rewards Collected
walking shoe icon

19.5k+

Miles Walked
selfie icon

3.9k+

Photos Shared

An incredible £105,000

was raised through the auction of the 35 large Bear sculptures for Leeds Hospitals Charity.

Participating Artists

Boy Oh Boy Designs
Matt Cockayne
Rachael and Phillippa Corcutt
Lizzie Rose Chapman
Caroline Daly
Caroline Dowsett
Amelia Fry
Jina Gelder
Emma Hardaker
Graham Hearfield
Benjamin James Holden

Lynne Hollingsworth
Christine Jopling
Albert Lackey
Karis Viola Lambert
Jenny Leonard
Hannah Jayne Lewin
Hew Ma
Mary and Janice
Helen Naylor
Donna Newman

Helen Oxenbury
Jess Perrin
Rabbithole Design
Hilary Sanderson
Ekaterina Sheath
Cathy Simpson
Us. Studio
Martha Williams
Thomas Wolski
Marta Zubieta

Most Voted For

Flora

App players voted for their favourite sculpture from Leeds Bear Hunt and they thought Flora was paw-fect.

Artist Hilary Sanderson created Flora by spreading blasts of spray colours over the sculpture before transforming it with intricate patterns and flowers.

About Leeds Hospitals Charity

As the charity for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Hospitals Charity is committed to raising money for Leeds Children’s Hospital. This will fund much-needed equipment and technology to provide the best care possible for very ill babies and children in a comfortable and welcoming environment.

Leeds Children’s Hospital is one of the UK’s largest specialist children’s hospitals offering a wide range of treatments and care for children from birth to young adulthood and beyond.

Its aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people in Leeds and further afield by providing outstanding care and that’s what Leeds does, every day.

Find out more

A few of Our Achievements

5.4k+

Sculptures Created

135+

Events Delivered

12m+

Participants
Attended

206k+

Selfies Taken