The Children’s Hospital Charity have paid tribute to everyone associated with Sheffield Wednesday for the club’s support in the record-breaking Bears of Sheffield sculpture trail.
On display in the summer of 2021, the trail represented the largest public arts project Sheffield has ever seen. It involved 60, 2.1m tall sculptures which were sponsored by organisations and families and decorated by acclaimed artists.
There were also 100 smaller Bears which were fundraised for and decorated by schools, nurseries and colleges.
The final total, which stands at £1,047,000, far exceeds the £600,000 raised by the Charity’s previous sculpture trail, the Herd of Sheffield, in 2016.
Project Manager Cheryl Davidson said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to Sheffield Wednesday and everyone associated with the club for helping the Bears of Sheffield raise so much for Sheffield Children's Hospital.
"The Owls Bear, inspired by Wednesday's iconic logo and blue and white stripes, attracted thousands of visits and had a particularly poignant place in Weston Park opposite the hospital.
“The new Cancer and Leukaemia ward the project funded now features more patient bedrooms overlooking that space as children get better.
"As well as sponsoring a Bear, Sheffield Wednesday also went above and beyond to support our fundraising for Sheffield Children's, promoting our events on their social media pages, in the programme and even on the big screen! On behalf of everyone in the Charity Team, I'd like to say a huge, heartfelt thank you for your support."
The Bears of Sheffield completed the appeal to build a new Cancer and Leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s. The new ward, which opened in December last year, is bigger and brighter with improved spaces for parents to stay with their children and a dedicated playroom and schoolroom at the heart of the ward.
More patient bedrooms have en-suite facilities as well as a view of the park opposite the hospital, helping patients feel connected to the outside whilst they are getting better. They also include brand new televisions, more storage space and added extras to help make it feel more like home.
As the total raised by the Bears of Sheffield exceeded all expectations, the funds raised from the trail will now also help to fund a new helipad at the hospital.
Currently, air ambulances land in Weston Park where trauma patients are then stretchered across a busy road under a police escort before entering the Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s.
The new helipad will reduce the delays for patients who need urgent critical care from across South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.
To support the helipad fundraising, please click HERE and thank you for your support!