Final chance to see the Bears of Sheffield!

There is just one week to go until the Big Bears of Sheffield will gather for the final time before they are auctioned off to raise much-needed funds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The 61 vibrantly decorated sculptures have now left their summer homes across the city and are currently hibernating at The Children’s Hospital Charity’s bearhouse before their final public outing next week at Meadowhall.

More than 16,000 people have visited the trail this summer, supporting the community effort to build a new Cancer and Leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The ward is the Principal Treatment Centre for children with cancer and leukaemia from babies through to 19-year-olds within South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

It also sees patients from across the UK for chemotherapy, operations and bone marrow transplants. While the ward provides excellent care, the facilities are dated and in 2018, a charity appeal was launched to transform the ward.

The more tickets sold and money raised, the more added extras patients can benefit from on the new ward. These include internal temperature controls, lights for patients and parents, ensuring they can read, write or take a break and a drop-down table for family meal times.

Should the Bears Farewell and the final auction at the Crucible Theatre raise the final £700,000 needed for the new ward, it will be open to patients from early next year, with building work having commenced in May 2021.

The Farewell weekend will take place from Thursday 14^th October to Sunday 17^th October at Meadowhall. Tickets are priced at just £5 for adults, £2 for children (aged 3-15yrs) and £12 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children), with under 3’s attending for free.

You can purchase your tickets here

The following day, the Bears of Sheffield will be making their final journey to be auctioned off at the Crucible Theatre on Monday 18^th October.

If you are interested in bidding on a Bear or would like watch the auction, you can buy a ticket for the event here.