South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit Supports Bears of Sheffield city wide sculpture trail
The South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) are sponsoring a bear in this year’s Bears of Sheffield sculpture trail coming to the city’s streets this summer.
The city-wide fundraising campaign is coordinated by The Children’s Hospital Charity and is a new take on their previous city-wide art event ‘Herd of Sheffield’ which raised £610,000 with elephants back in 2016.
VRU have chosen to sponsor a bear as part of their community engagement work, to raise awareness of the unit and start a conversation with communities in Sheffield and South Yorkshire about the causes of violence and how we can work together to prevent it.
Rachel Staniforth, Joint Head of the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit said: “Sponsoring a bear in the Bears of Sheffield initiative is something that we felt very strongly about. At the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit we are passionate about working with communities to understand their perceptions of violence.
“Over recent years, Sheffield has seen some very high profile violent incidents and by getting involved in this campaign, which raises awareness of everything that is good about Sheffield, we can start to focus on good news, positives and raise money for young people across South Yorkshire who need the support of Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
“The project is not just about Sheffield. The previous Herd of Sheffield raised interest nationally and was a great adventure for young people to get involved with.
“We are looking forward to taking part in the trail and seeing which other organisations will be joining us. We might even set up some competitions for the young people across South Yorkshire to get involved with.”
The Bears of Sheffield will raise much needed funds to transform the Cancer and Leukaemia Ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
The ward treats children with cancer and blood disorders from babies through to 19-year olds from South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and as far south as Northampton.
Tchad Western, Corporate Partnerships Manager at the charity said: “The Bears of Sheffield is all about uniting communities, bringing the city together and making our mark.
“The Violence Reduction Unit are making a huge difference to people’s lives within their unit alone, but by sponsoring a bear they will make a difference to hundreds more, creating positive messages and hopefully encouraging those in need of help to access it.”
A design will be chosen from a selection of work by artists commissioned by The Children’s Hospital Charity.
