If you go down to Sheffield City centre this Summer...you're in for a big surprise!
We're delighted to announce that Plusnet has sponsored one of Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity’s ‘Bears of Sheffield’ for 2021.
The Bears of Sheffield
They’re the 60 stunning 2.11 metre tall ‘Big Bear’ sculptures, forming the charity’s Summer public art’s exhibition. All uniquely designed and painted by professional and amateur artists, they’ll be scattered across Sheffield City centre as an arts trail, ready for you to discover between 12th July-29th September. Supporting them will be a small army of 100 1 metre high ‘Little Bears’, sent to local schools and the city’s Children’s Hospital for the kids to have fun painting themselves.
Supporting the Sheffield Children's Hospital
It’s all in aid of a fantastic cause. Plusnet, along with other local businesses, will be helping raise money to transform the Cancer and Leukaemia Ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Its facilities really need a boost, to provide a more modern, calming ‘home-from-home’ for children, plus the parents and carers visiting them. Plusnet has been a long standing partner of the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, so naturally we jumped at the chance to support such a worthy, vibrant and fun activity.
Once the trail ends all the ‘Big Bears’, including our Plusnet bear will be auctioned off to generate those much-needed funds, with the ‘Little Bears’ staying with their chosen schools.
Fantastic beasts to find
‘Bears of Sheffield’ follows on from the hugely successful multi-coloured ‘Herd of Sheffield’ elephants arts trail in 2016 (gaining cult status within the city!).
For 2021, the fun is back. Bigger, bolder and, err…‘bear-ier’. Why bears? It’s jointly inspired by Sheffield Botanical Garden’s much loved bear sculpture, plus the charity’s own ‘Theo’ mascot.
You’ll be able to discover and tick off each of the 60 ‘Big Bears’ on the Covid-safe, contact-free trail around the city, using the dedicated app or map. During your travels you’ll find out about each artist, the local business who’s sponsored the bear, plus you’ll unlock points. Points, as ever, always means prizes! From discount local coffees to free cakes and much more, the more bears you track down, the more points and offers you’ll collect.
Want to give a little back to the charity? If any bears take your fancy you can donate to as many as you like. It’s a great way to help support.
Introducing Plusnet's bear...
Our ‘Miami Moderne Bear’ sports a fresh, eye-popping Plusnet-pink art deco-style paint job. He’s designed by artist Jenny Steele and her inspiration for the snazzy colour scheme was her trips to Miami Beach, Florida and its striking architecture. We’re certain he’s going to be turning many heads in Sheffield City centre.
Enjoy what’s going to be a ‘bear-illiant’ Summer event!
Want to know more?
Details about all the bears, artists and locations, Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, plus how to buy cool bear merch, get involved in fundraising challenges and making donations are on the Bears of Sheffield website.