The full Pride of Yorkshire collection has been revealed for the first time, as 150 life-sized lion sculptures filled Utilita Arena Sheffield for a one-night-only preview event.

The event marked a major moment in the countdown to the Pride of Yorkshire trail, which celebrates 150 years of Sheffield Children’s Hospital. At the event, it was announced that the Pride of Yorkshire trail will raise £2.8million towards a £20million transformation of Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s Emergency Department. The redevelopment will help create a calmer, more child-friendly space for patients and families. 

At the arena, the complete collection of lions and lionesses stood side by side ahead of their release onto the streets of South Yorkshire this summer, giving guests a first look at one of the UK’s biggest free public art trails. 

The collection includes sculptures inspired by some of South Yorkshire’s most iconic voices in music and culture, including Arctic Monkeys, Self Esteem, Def Leppard, Richard Hawley and Bring Me The Horizon, alongside collaborations celebrating the region’s film, sport and creative heritage.

The lions will be installed across Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley in the coming weeks, forming a region-wide trail.

John Armstrong, Chief Executive of Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Walking into an arena filled with 150 lions tonight was something really special. Each lion marks a year in the life of Sheffield Children’s, and a year of caring for children and families across this region and beyond.

“That’s what makes this so powerful. It’s a celebration of everything the hospital has done, and everything it will go on to do.”

Ruth Brown, Chief Executive of Sheffield Children’s, said: “Our Emergency Department opened in 1977 and was designed for 24,000 patients a year.

“Today, more than 62,000 children and young people come through its doors annually – around 168 every day. The department is now operating well beyond what it was originally designed for. 

“With support from Pride of Yorkshire, we can transform it into a calm, child-friendly space that reduces fear and anxiety, supports recovery, and enables our teams to deliver the very best emergency care.”

The Pride of Yorkshire trail follows the success of Bears of Sheffield and Herd of Sheffield and is twice the scale of those previous trails.  

150 lions will hit the streets from 8 June until September, before being sold at auction in October. 

Lucy Stringer, Chair of the Loadhog Foundation, headline sponsor of Pride of Yorkshire, said: “Supporting the Pride of Yorkshire project as headline sponsor means so much to the Loadhog Foundation. It’s about playing our part in a project that celebrates creativity, supports an incredible hospital, and leaves a lasting legacy for the region and its families.”

Alongside the 150 large sculptures, a further 150 Little Pride lion cubs, designed by schools and community groups, will form part of the trail.

Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity also thanked the sponsors, partners, artists and supporters who helped make the night possible, with special thanks to Utilita Arena Sheffield for hosting the event. 

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