We're Going On a Bear Hunt art trail led by Kent hospice charity ellenor to launch in Dartford

More than 80 decorated bear sculptures will take over a Kent town this summer.

Dozens of colourful bears are set to appear across Dartford as part of the We’re Going on a Bear Hunt art trail.

The eight-week trail, starting in July, will feature 58 large bears and 30 cubs, each uniquely decorated by artists, schools and community groups.

It is being held in aid of ellenor, the Northfleet-based hospice charity supporting families facing life-limited illnesses across both Kent and Bexley.

The project is inspired by the animated television adaptation of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, based on the picture book written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.

The fibreglass sculptures arrived at Pentagon Freight Services in Dartford on Monday (March 2), having travelled overnight from Poland.

Over the next few months, they will be distributed to schools, artists and community groups across Dartford.

The main aim of the project is to raise awareness of hospice care, build a sense of community pride and generate funds through sponsorship and a closing auction.

Director of income generation at ellenor, Sue Piper, said: “Our art trail is about raising awareness on the work that we do within the community, but equally it’s about raising much-needed money to ensure that our services continue.

“We try very hard to ensure that we’re getting people very early on in their journey so that we can support them for as long as possible.

“The money we will raise will ensure that our work continues. It’s costing around about £26,000 a day to keep our doors open.

“We want to make sure we’re there to continue with the increased demand on our services. It’s about making sure we’re here, not just tomorrow, but beyond that for everyone that needs us.

“The money that we need to keep our doors open goes towards covering the specialist nurses that provide the care.

“91% of our care is happening within people’s homes, which is what many people would prefer in their final days.”

She added that the families of the people ellenor cares for will be out on the trail to support the charity.

“They’re super excited about getting out and seeing the art trail and spotting all the beautiful bears,” she said.

The project is led by ellenor in partnership with Dartford council and Wild in Art, with support coming from sponsors including Bluewater Shopping Centre, Fastrack, Pentagon Transport, Pillory Barn, Walker Books and Lupus Films.

The charity will also be opening a shop at Bluewater where people will be able to buy merchandise.

To find out more about volunteering for ellenor, click here.

Pentagon Transport manager Luke Cole says raising money for charities such as ellenor is “everything”.

The 40-year-old, who lives in Hoo, said: “My father was in ellenor’s care when he passed away eight years ago.

“He spent time at home with my mum looking after him and then he went into ellenor’s care for a week to give my mum some time off. Unfortunately he passed away whilst in their care.

“I’ve run London Marathon for ellenor before. Raising vital funds for a vital charity is always a good thing to do.

“I don’t think the general public realise how much support they actually need to keep running and to help support local families in their time of need.”

Art trail project manager Georgie Packer added: “We’d encourage families to get out and try and find all of the bears over the summer.

“We’ll have a trail app as well so you’ll be able to download that and collect all of the bears as you go around.

“Our incredible sponsors are also putting rewards in there for families so as you collect a big bear you might get something like a free swim at Fairfield Leisure.

“For the big bears we had submissions from nearly 250 artists from all over the country who sent us their designs for these big bears and it’s been a really tough process to slowly whittle it down to the 30 that will be brought to life this summer.

“The designs are all embargoed at the moment but they have been chosen and they really are beautiful and very varied as well.”

The trail is due to start on Friday, July 17 and finish on Sunday, September 13. The bears will be auctioned off together on Thursday, October 1.