14 photos from charity lion auction in Sheffield where Owls owner David Storch spent £26,000

130 lions went under the hammer at the Crucible in aid of Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.

The new owner of Sheffield Wednesday was the biggest spender at the charity auction of a pride of lions in the city.

David Storch splashed £26,000 on a sculpture called Echoes of Hillsborough by artist Zoe Burgar.

It was one of 130 lions that went under the hammer at the Crucible in aid of Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.

The life-sized sculptures were painted by artists, schools and community groups, and displayed on the streets of Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster this summer.

The auction was attended by musician Richard Hawley, Pulp’s Nick Banks, This is England’s Thomas Turgoose, artist Pete McKee, Sheffield United’s Femi Seriki and viral sensation Chris McClure – all of whom spoke about why they’re proud to support Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.

Lucy Crapper of BTG Eddisons was the auctioneer.

Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity is aiming to raise £6.3m for a £20m redevelopment of the emergency department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital on Western Bank.

After months of careful crafting, the Pride of Yorkshire hit the streets in June.

In total, 150 life-sized lion sculptures and 150 lion cubs were let loose following the success of the Herd of Sheffield trail in 2016 and the Bears of Sheffield trail in 2021.

The Pride of Yorkshire was created in celebration of Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s 150th anniversary.

Those who helped paint the lions included England Women’s Footballer (a Lioness herself) Esme Morgan, cricketeer Joe Root, Pulp’s Richard Hawley, and Sheffield Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill.

Artists included Bubba2000, Megan ‘Peachzz’ Russell, Sarah ‘Faunagraphic’ Yates and Pete McKee, and dozens of others.

Meanwhile, more than 100 schools and community groups were invited to paint the cubs.

The charity described it as the UK’s largest ever public art sculpture trail.

It says every penny raised will help to create a calm, child-friendly space designed for children and young people in need of urgent care.

Check out our gallery of lions from the auction and this summer.