Leeds Hospitals Charity is inviting members of the public to join their volunteer team to support the 2023 Leeds Bear Hunt, a large-scale public art trail of bears set to stomp across the city from 1st July – in aid of Leeds Children’s Hospital.
Paying tribute to Michael Rosen’s much-loved ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’, the art trail will involve 35 giant painted bear sculptures, and 50 bear cubs, dotted across Leeds city centre and local parks for families and visitors to embark on a fun-filled adventure of discovery this summer. Leeds Bear Hunt offers a broad range of volunteer opportunities, from becoming a ‘Bear Ranger’ delivering the best experience for families and visitors, to helping sell Leeds Bear Hunt goodies in the city-centre pop-up shop.
Volunteers will play an essential role in helping Leeds Hospitals Charity reach their funding goal of over £300,000 to help improve the lives of young patients undergoing treatments and care at the Leeds Children’s Hospital. Those interested in volunteering can attend the following free drop-in sessions in April to learn more about Leeds Bear Hunt, opportunities to get involved and meet some of the unique painted bears:
11am – 3pm on Wednesday 19th April at Rose Wharf
11am – 3pm on Thursday 20th April at Kirkgate Market Volunteer Hub
Why Bears? Over the last 34 years, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt has enchanted children and parents alike with its story of perseverance, optimism and a love of nature, selling over 14 million books worldwide in 42 languages. Author Michael Rosen’s retelling of this classic picture book has exceeded over 17 million views on YouTube.
Successful Wild in Art trails in Manchester, Plymouth and the North East saw huge benefits for the local economy in the past few years. An Art Trail delivered by Wild in Art in Newcastle and surrounding areas brought in over 650,000 visitors, whilst Manchester’s Bee in the City trail provided an economic boost of over £10 million.
Leeds Hospitals Charity www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk is the charity for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. We support NHS staff to deliver the best care for patients and their families, by raising funds for equipment, services, education and research. Leeds Hospitals Charity supports NHS staff to deliver the best care for over a million patients and their families each year. Working with local communities, schools and businesses across the city and beyond, each year we provide £5 million in additional funding for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Be part of something ‘beary’ exciting coming to Leeds this Summer!
Come along to one of our drop-in sessions to find out more about volunteering & meet some of our ‘bear-illiant’ bears!
Register your interest at volunteers@leedshospitalscharity.org.uk and we’ll keep in touch! pic.twitter.com/QL60IxI6Gi
— Leeds Bear Hunt (@LeedsBearHunt) April 11, 2023
Our hidden giant, in the heart of Leeds. Leeds Children’s Hospital is a relatively unknown success story. A dedicated hospital which has a comprehensive range of specialist paediatric services, Leeds rivals any children’s hospital in the country. As the charity for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Hospitals Charity is committed to supporting hard-working NHS staff to deliver the best possible care to very ill babies and children.
As part of this commitment, the Charity is urgently raising money to fund much-needed equipment and technology to help hundreds of critically ill babies and children every year. Leeds Bear Hunt will help to create a children’s hospital for the future enhanced with latest technology and the best clinical equipment.
Paul Watkins, Director of Fundraising at Leeds Hospitals Charity said:
“Volunteers form an invaluable part of the team at Leeds Hospitals Charity, and we’re delighted to offer a range of exciting opportunities for new friendly faces to get involved in our 2023 Leeds Bear Hunt. Volunteering with us means you will be joining a supportive and vibrant team whilst learning new skills and making a significant contribution to the lives of children at the hospital.
Leeds Bear Hunt offers a role for everyone, and we welcome volunteers from all backgrounds to apply. Come down to one of our drop-in sessions to say hello to the team and meet some of our “bear-illiant” painted bears set to bring life to Leeds city centre this summer.”
The Leeds Bear Hunt trail is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors over the summer months and will see Leeds Hospitals Charity, the charity of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, come together with Leeds City Council and LeedsBID. Each Bear has been uniquely designed by a local or national artist, developed in partnership with Wild in Art and Walker Productions/Lupus Films.
Following the adventure across Leeds, Leeds Hospitals Charity will be auctioning the Bears in September 2023 to raise funds for Leeds Children’s Hospital. There is still opportunity for businesses in West Yorkshire to sponsor a Bear – with four up for grabs. Sponsors will get their pick of designs to be displayed on their very own Bear.
Businesses are also invited to attend a free drop-in session at Rose Wharf on Thursday 20th April. Exclusive freebies and delicious refreshments will be up for grabs. For further information and to sign up to volunteer, head over to www.volunteers.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk
For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to donate to Leeds Children’s Hospital, please visit www.leedsbearhunt.co.uk
Join us on #LeedsBearHunt we’re going to find 🐻
