Lion sculptures to be auctioned for cancer appeal

The starting price for each sculpture is £3,000

A collection of lion sculptures displayed on landmarks in Gloucestershire will be up for auction next month to raise money for a new cancer centre.

Thousands of people visited the Lions at Large trail, which was designed by local artists and placed in more than 30 different locations this month.

They will be auctioned on 9 October, with funds raised supporting an appeal to build a modern cancer care centre at Cheltenham General Hospital. The starting price for each sculpture is £3,000.

Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity head of income generation, Charlie Homer, said: "This will be the key moment to raise funds, and we'd love to see as many people getting involved as possible."

He added: "The trail has brought colour, community and joy to Gloucestershire - and all for a very important cause. We are hugely grateful to everyone who has played a part."

Two of the sculptures up for auction - The Tyger and Look for The Stars - have an important meaning for their designer Janine Smith.

"The Tyger, a tiger striped lion, honours William Blake's poem and the incredible oncology team who treated my Dad over 15 years ago. I wanted it to stand out, just like the outstanding cancer care he received," said Ms Smith.

Her other piece, Look for the stars, is a tribute to cancer support networks and quotes Martin Luther King and and Oscar Wilde.

Janine Smith with her sculpture, Look For The Stars

Ms Smith said the design reflected the message of The Big Space Cancer Appeal by "finding hope and beauty, even in difficult and challenging times".

Dr Jessica Bailey, clinical consultant oncologist and clinical lead for oncology at Gloucestershire Hospitals, said: "We've been overwhelmed by the incredible community response to the Lions at Large Trail.

"Seeing families, friends and colleagues out enjoying the trail has meant the world to us. As the lions now go to auction, we are so grateful to everyone taking part."

Online bidding will be available in the weeks leading up to the auction.

The sculptures will have a farewell event to see the pride together for the first time from 3 to 5 October at Cheltenham Racecourse.