See the warehouse where 'The Bears of Sheffield' are patiently waiting for 2021

If you open the lock, and raise the shutter, you’ll never believe your eyes.

‘Cos every bear that ever there was, is gathered there for certain because...well, because of Covid-19.

In a small warehouse, tucked away in the heart of Handsworth, the ‘Bears of Sheffield’ are just waiting for the glorious day they can be revealed to the public.

Rows of colourful bears, in every style and design, stand patiently, dreaming of their dramatic entrance, now rescheduled to July 2021.

"They’re really beautiful aren’t they?” said Cheryl Davidson, events fundraising manager at The Children’s Hospital Charity.

"The Herd of Sheffield was such an amazing project, and we were keen to find another animal that could represent Sheffield on another charity trail.

“This bear is based on the Botanical Bear, in Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens, and the artist, David Mayne, who made that sculpture kindly designed our bear too.

"We now have 60 of these two-metre tall bears ready to go when the trail hits the city - including one very big surprise bear I can’t say anything about just yet!”

The Bears of Sheffield public arts exhibition was originally due to open in July, but the difficult decision was taken to postpone it by one year, to ensure people would be able to visit safely.

A host of artists, including Jo Peel, Morag Myerscough, Pete McKee, Thereza Rowe, William Luz, and Nicolas Burrows, have been busily designing and decorating their bears in lockdown – and these will remain top secret now until the trail’s unveiling next summer.

There are also 100 smaller bears waiting in the warehouse, that will be decorated by schools across the city in the coming months.

"2020 has been such a difficult year for everybody, and we didn’t feel we could safely host the trail – at indoor and outdoor venues across Sheffield – and guarantee social distancing,” said Cheryl.

“The Children's Hospital Charity has seen many of its charitable events postponed this year, and a decline in fundraising, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"When it does open, we know the Bears of Sheffield trail will raise vital funds for the charity, as well as bringing great joy to Sheffield once again.”