Ready, teddy, go – the first look at Brum’s big bears

OVER 150 corporates from across the city centre came together as The Big Sleuth’s first sculpture designs were laid ‘bear’.

From bankers to barristers and writers to web designers, a host of business people were treated to an exclusive glimpse of the four Sun Bears, which will leave their paw prints all over Birmingham next summer.

The bears, named Banteay Srei Bear, The Bees Knees, Sunny and Who Looks Outside, Dreams: Who Looks Inside, Awakes, will join up to 100 colourful characters which are set to make it onto the trail next July.

The Big Sleuth, so named because a group of bears is called a sleuth, is the highly-anticipated sequel to The Big Hoot, delivered by Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and creative producers Wild in Art.

The paw-fect project is seeking local companies to take up one of several sponsorship packages, starting at £6,000, to allow the trail to go off with a roar.

Set to not only boost business, tourism and pride, Bear-mingham’s second public art event will also see the 165cm tall bears auctioned off at the end of the trail to raise valuable funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Louise McCathie, director of fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “The Big Sleuth is really important to Birmingham Children’s Hospital as we also hope to raise over half a million pounds to support the pioneering work we do here each day.”

Charlie Langhorne, director of Wild in Art, added: “We were delighted to premiere our first four Sun Bear sculptures. Our public art projects have a proven track record of heightening the profile of our host cities, and we’re confident that The Big Sleuth will be another fantastic experience for visitors and residents alike.

To find out more about The Big Sleuth, including sponsorship and artist opportunities, visit www.thebigsleuth.co.uk. You can also follow The Big Sleuth at Facebook.com/ thebigsleuth, Twitter.com/thebigsleuth and Instagram.com/thebigsleuth.