Get Ready for a Bear-illiant Art Adventure!
In Summer 2026, Dartford will be transformed by 30 stunning large Bear sculptures inspired by the beloved classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Designed by local and national artists, these Bears will form an exciting, free public art trail through the town’s streets, parks, and open spaces.
Alongside them, 30 Bear cubs, decorated by local schools and community groups, will be displayed in indoor locations such as museums, libraries, and storefronts—making this an event for the whole community!
The story’s famous mantra—”We can’t go over it, we can’t go under it… we’ve got to go through it!”—perfectly reflects ellenor’s mission. Just as the family in the book faces obstacles together, ellenor supports families through life’s challenges.
Working with Walker Books
We are delighted to be working with The Walker Books Group to bring Were’ Going on a Bear Hunt to Life!
This beautiful, hand-drawn animation based on the classic book by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury follows the intrepid adventures of a family of children as they venture through whirling snowstorms, oozing mud and dark forests in search of bears…
‘This is an exciting and unique opportunity for ellenor to partner with Walker Books and the beloved classic, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Based on our experience, this partnership is a perfect fit for Dartford, offering not only a high-profile, family-friendly theme but also the potential to create a truly engaging and successful art trail.
It’s a wonderful chance to bring people together, celebrate creativity, and raise valuable funds for ellenor’s work in the process’.
Charlie Langhorne MD and co-Founder Wild in Art
Join the conversation #dartfordbearhunt
Calling all Artists – SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!
Submissions open UNTIL 21 November
We’re on the hunt for diverse creatives – both local and national – to design and decorate these stunning sculptures, that will capture the hearts of thousands of art lovers during summer 2026!
All selected artists will receive a set commission of £1000 for their time and talent!
Meet Ana, the beautiful artist behind our first designed bear! @anazoobart
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#dartfordbearhunt #wildinart #artistcallout #artistshoutout #artistswanted #callingallartists
In Summer 2026, Dartford will be transformed by 30 stunning large Bear sculptures inspired by the beloved classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Designed by local and national artists, these Bears will form an exciting, free public art trail through the town’s streets, parks, and open spaces.
Alongside them, 30 Bear cubs, decorated by local schools and community groups, will be displayed in indoor locations such as museums, libraries, and storefronts—making this an event for the whole community!
Learn more via dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#dartfordbearhunt #ellenor #teamellenor #hospicecharity #charityhospice #dartford #artists #dartfordkent #artist
🐻💥 Let’s make a BIG impact together!
This is your business’s chance to be part of Dartford’s biggest-ever art adventure!
When you sponsor a Bear or become a partner, you’re not just adding your name to a project—you’re stepping right into the heart of a creative, community-powered event that will capture the attention of thousands!
✅ Connect with customers in a fun, unforgettable way
✅ Boost your brand visibility across the entire town
✅ Show your support for local art, culture & community
✅ Help raise vital funds for ellenor, your local hospice
🌟 Be bold. Be seen. Be part of something AMAZING.
Join the Bear Hunt and let’s create real change—together!
👉 Get in touch with the ellenor team today to explore all the exciting ways your business can get involved!
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#dartfordbearhunt #wildinart #artistcallout #dartfordkent #hospicecharity #artists
THE MAN MOVING DARTFORD’S BEARS. LUKE’S STORY WITH ELLENOR
When 60 fibreglass bears appear across the borough of Dartford next summer, one man will be responsible for getting every sculpture safely into place. For Luke Cole, moving bears isn’t part of his day job at Pentagon Transport – but this project carries a weight far beyond logistics.
Read the full article here at ellenor.org/ellenorstories
#dartfordbearhunt #bearhunt #wildinart #hospicecharity
🐻✨ Something BIG is coming to Dartford in 2026…
Get ready to go on a BEAR HUNT ART TRAIL! 🎨👣
Imagine the streets bursting with colour, creativity and larger-than-life Bear sculptures—each one a completely unique masterpiece!
🧑🎨 Created by amazing local talent from Dartford & nearby towns
🌍 PLUS stunning designs from incredible artists across the UK
👀 Thousands of visitors will explore, discover and FALL IN LOVE with these one-of-a-kind bears!
While we’re thrilled to welcome national artists, we’re extra proud to shine the spotlight on our local creatives—giving them a huge platform to show the world just how incredible our community is!
🎉 Get ready to explore. Get ready to be inspired.
The Bear Hunt is coming… and it’s going to be UNBEARLIEVABLE! 🐾
dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#dartfordbearhunt #wildinart #artistcallout #artistsinkent
🎨🐻 Calling all schools, nurseries, colleges & community groups! 🐻🎨
Get ready to unleash your creativity and be part of something AMAZING in Dartford!
✨ Adopt your very own Bear Cub sculpture
✨ Celebrate local identity & community spirit
✨ Give your students a chance to shine in a huge public art trail
✨ Support ellenor’s vital work for local families
All it takes is a pledge to raise £750 by July 2026 – and you’re in! 🙌
Don’t miss out on this ROAR-some opportunity!
👉 Register your interest now: dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#dartfordbearhunt #wildinart #artistcallout #artistshoutout #artists #bearclub
Calling all schools, nurseries , colleges and community groups
Join the project and let your creativity shine!
Participating in this exciting project offers many benefits for your students and school community. It’s a chance to get creative, celebrate local identity, and be part of something special!
This is a fantastic opportunity for students to be part of a creative, community-driven event, while helping to support ellenor’s vital work.
Adopt your own Bear Cub
Don’t miss out, register your interest now via dartfordbearhunt.co.uk
#dartfordbearhunt #wildinart #artists #dartfordbearhunt2026 #ellenor #charityhospice
LEADER JEREMY KITES ON HOW ELLENOR’S BEAR TRAIL WILL TRANSFORM DARTFORD BOROUGH
Councillor Jeremy Kite, MBE, explains why ellenor’s Wild in Art trail will transform Dartford into a playground of colour, culture – and compassionate care…
ellenor.org/ellenorstories to read the full article
#wildinart #dartfordbearhunt #bearhunt #arttrail #artistcallout #jermeyhunt #ellenor #hospicecharity #charityhospice
We’re going on an Art Hunt—are you coming?
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Become a Sponsor
By sponsoring a Bear or joining us in partnership, your business will step into the heart of this creative, community-driven event. You’ll connect with customers in a unique and engaging way, showcase your support for the arts, and make a real difference by raising funds for ellenor, your local hospice charity.
Our Sponsors & Partners
YOUR DONATIONS CREATE REAL CHANGE
ellenor needs £9.6 million each year to continue caring and supporting thousands of patients and families facing life limiting and life-threatening illness in Kent. We are a charity that relies on the generosity of our local community. Your donation however big or small makes a real difference to patients and their families.
Walker books
Walker Books UK is part of the vibrant international The Walker Books Group that includes Walker Books Australia, Candlewick Press, Holiday House and Peachtree Press in the USA.
Walker Books UK is an award-winning publisher making magical new stories for children of all ages. For generations, they have been the home of stories that feel both classic and fresh. From beautiful picture books to curl up with at bedtime to rib-tickling middle grade adventures, and from epic fantasy thrillers to fascinating, expansive non-fiction, there is something in their range of bestselling books for everyone.
The major bestselling brands for the group are We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Guess How Much I Love You, Maisy, the widely acclaimed Judy Moody, and the phenomenal Where’s Wally? /Where’s Waldo?
Lupus Films
Multi award-winning London-based studio Lupus Films was set up by Camilla Deakin and Ruth Fielding in 2002 and has since grown to become one of the world’s leading film and television production companies.
The company specialises in high quality family entertainment and adaptations of much-loved works of children’s literature, such as BAFTA nominated half-hour specials THE SNOWMAN AND THE SNOWDOG, WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT, MOG’S CHRISTMAS and THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA, which won an International Kids Emmy® Award.
Lupus Films has produced a number of animated feature films including the award-winning ETHEL & ERNEST, based on the autobiographical graphic novel by Raymond Briggs; KENSUKE’S KINGDOM, an adaptation of the bestselling children’s novel by Michael Morpurgo, and THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN WONDERLAND, based on the popular picture-book by Carys Bexington and Kate Hindley.