Businesses invited to join ‘roarsome’ Bear Hunt art trail
North Devon is set to host an exciting public art sculpture trail this year designed to raise vital funds and awareness for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).
The charity, which runs three children’s hospices, including Little Bridge House in Fremington near Barnstaple, has joined forces with The Art of Fundraising to create a Bear Hunt art trail that will run throughout September and October. 
Some of the region’s best-known local artists are currently decorating 25 individual five-foot-tall bears that will form a series of mini trails in around Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Ilfracombe and South Molton.
As well as helping to raise the profile of the hospice, it is hoped that the CHSW Bear Hunt Art Trail will also bring significant footfall and economic benefit to the host locations and surrounding areas.
CHSW Bear Hunt project coordinator Kate Romo said: “We’re really looking forward to seeing how all the artists choose to decorate their bears and can’t wait to see them form such a fun trail for people to follow in and around beautiful North Devon.
We hope it will be hugely popular with both locals and visitors, who as well as being able to discover these wonderful pieces of bear art, will also be able to enjoy visiting the towns and villages in which they are located.
Kate said there were a still a number of opportunities for businesses to get involved in the project, including as a trail or bear sponsor, or by becoming a sculpture host. Bears are even available to buy or adopt at a special auction taking place in November.
“There are various sponsorship packages available so if your business would like to get involved or you’d like to find out more, we’d love to hear from you,” added Kate.
“The Art of Fundraising has a track record of delivering incredible public arts events that raise significant funds for charities and other worthy causes, and we hope the CHSW Bear Hunt will also raise essential awareness and funds to help provide vital care for local families.
By getting involved in this exciting project, you will be standing alongside the children, young people and families who need that support the most.
To find out more about how your business can get involved, either as a Bear Hunt sponsor or bear sculpture host, visit www.chswbearhunt.org, call Kate Romo on 01271 325270 or email bearhunt@chsw.org.uk