Dartford Bear Hunt Auction
The Bears are finding their forever homes
Thursday 1 October 2026 · Bluewater Village Marquee
Bid in person or online
How will you bid?
🎟️ Join us in person
Experience the excitement of the live auction at the Bluewater Village Marquee on Thursday 1 October.
💻 Bid online – open now!
Can’t make it in person? Online bidding is already open, so you can browse the lots and place your bids now.
Bidder Registration Form
It is vital that all individuals or businesses joining us on the night for the live auction fill in the Bidder Registration Form by September 29th
From the trail to the auction
After an unforgettable summer across Dartford and Bluewater, the Bears are coming together for one spectacular finale — and it’s time for them to find their forever homes.
The Trail
They’ve been spotted all summer, bringing adventure, creativity and fun to the community.
The Art
Each sculpture has been transformed into a unique work of art by talented artists.
The Auction
Now, our Bears are ready to leave the trail behind and find their forever homes.
Bid for a Bear, support your local hospice
Every bid at the Dartford Bear Hunt Auction will help raise vital funds for ellenor, supporting local people and their families living with life-limiting and life-threatening illness.
Auction FAQS
The auction will be held in person and live-streamed online, with the option to bid remotely. If you’re local, we strongly encourage you to join us in person on the night to experience the excitement live. However, if you can’t attend, you can still take part and bid comfortably from home. Please see links at the top of the page to register for both options.
ellenor hospice will be running this event, with the support of Wild in Art.
Bidding starts at £3,000 for a large sculpture and can reach significantly higher values. Every bid makes a difference, all proceeds from the auction will go directly towards supporting ellenor’s local hospice care services.
If you would like to support the hospice by purchasing a Bear but are unable to showcase it yourself please reach out to dartfordbearhunt@ellenor.org to start the conversation. We have many wonderful community areas and charities who would love to house your Bear!
Yes you are allowed to bid on any bear that is in the auction catalogue. Please see link to catalogue above.
Yes there will be two professionally painted Bear Cubs for sale, alongside 3 black cubs linked to an artists commission. This means you will be able to work alongside your artist to create your dream Cub!
Delivery is payable by the successful bidder. We will work with our delivery and logistics partners to provide you with fair quotes.
More FAQs are being added every week, so please check back here for more information. Alternatively email Dartfordbearhunt@ellenor.org with your queries
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.
Our Sponsors & Partners
We’re going on an Art Hunt—are you coming?
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