All 31 large lions from the summer art trail sold at a Harlow auction, raising £142,350 for St Clare Hospice. Top lot: Sophie the Disco Lion at £12,000.
The Lions on the Loose sculptures that stood around Harlow all summer have raised £142,350 for St Clare Hospice. Every one of the 31 large lions sold at the closing auction.
The sale took place on Thursday 24 September at Saint Nicholas School in Harlow. Bidders took part in the room and online. The hospice announced the total on 28 September.
The auctioneer was John Black of Sworders Fine Art. Charlie Langhorne, co-founder of trail producers Wild in Art, was the compere.
The lions that fetched the most
According to the hospice, the most sought-after lots were:
- Sophie the Disco Lion, signed by Sophie Ellis-Bextor: £12,000
- King William, inspired by William Morris: £10,000
- Roar of 66, signed by Sir Geoff Hurst: £9,000
- Heel In For-rest: £8,000
- Hakuna Ma-dart-a: £8,000
- Transcendence: £8,000
Nine weeks on the streets
The trail opened on Friday 24 July, when 63 sculptures were installed overnight across Harlow, Epping and Loughton. Each was decorated by an artist, a school or a community group. The 31 lions that went under the hammer were the large sculptures.
Harlow Council, Epping Forest District Council and Harlow Health Centres Trust sponsored the trail. All the lions were gathered at Passmores Academy in Harlow on 19 and 20 September for a final farewell before the sale.
When the trail launched, the hospice said it was “under increasing financial pressure” to keep providing end-of-life care. The auction money goes to that care and to its bereavement services across West Essex and the East Herts border.
What the hospice said
Rosie Knowles, the hospice’s deputy chief executive, said: “To see every single one of our one-of-a-kind large lions find a new home and to raise over £142,000 is incredible. But what I am most proud of is how Lions on the Loose has brought our community together.”
She said one girl told her she could see a lion from her bedroom window and waved it goodnight every day. Community groups held free mental health walks along the route.
“Every lion sold represents a lasting legacy that will help St Clare continue providing expert care and support to local people living with a life-limiting illness and their loved ones,” she said.
What it means for you
- If you missed the trail, the hospice’s charity shops sold the trail’s soft toys, colouring books and maps while it ran; ask in store what is left.
- If you want to keep giving, St Clare runs a lottery and lists ways to fundraise on its website.
- If you or someone close to you needs the hospice, it is at Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood, just south-east of Harlow, and main reception is on 01279 773700.
St Clare also has a shop in the town centre. Its Harlow Vintage and Retro shop at 3 Broad Walk was rated 5 for food hygiene on 25 September, according to the Food Standards Agency.
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