Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity has announced that a pride of lion sculptures will be taking over South Yorkshire in 2026 to celebrate 150 years of Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
The ‘Pride of Yorkshire’ Sculpture Trail is the charity’s most ambitious fundraising campaign yet and will raise vital funds to support the hospital’s next chapter of life-changing care.
Building on the success of Bears of Sheffield, this new free trail will feature 150 large lion and lioness sculptures, and 150 smaller lion cub sculptures. They will be positioned across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, each telling a unique story and designed by professional artists and community groups.
Cheryl Davidson, Head of Community and Events and Pride of Yorkshire Project Lead, Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We want this to be our biggest and most impactful campaign yet, uniting the region in support of a cause that touches so many lives. The beauty of this campaign is that everyone can play a part. Whether it’s a company stepping forward as a sponsor, a school embracing the fundraising challenge, or a family exploring the trail. Together, we can make this a movement that has a lasting impact on children’s healthcare.”
Artist Tom Newell, who worked on our previous sculpture trails, is the launch artist. He said: “I’ve been honoured to be involved in all the sculptures so far, from the elephant to the bear. My past two designs were monochrome black and white, so I really wanted it to be the opposite of that. This one’s really colourful. The mane of the lion is hundreds of different angles, so I spent four days on that. It was a real patience-test!”
The lion and lioness sculptures will be designed by professional and amateur artists from across the region and beyond! These life-sized sculptures will be sponsored by companies and individuals.
The lion cubs may be small, but their impact is mighty! Designed, painted and funded by schools and community groups from across the region, these adorable sculptures will showcase the personality and talent of South Yorkshire and brighten the halls of schools and shared spaces for years to come.
Trail maps and an interactive experience will help keen lion lovers find, log and explore all sculptures along the trail… and maybe even earn some exclusive rewards and discounts along the way!
When the trail closes, all 300 sculptures will be brought together at a special farewell event for you to find your favourites and snap a final selfie before they head to auction.
The charity is looking for schools, community groups and businesses to help bring the Pride of Yorkshire to life.
Pride of Yorkshire website
Images: Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity
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