A creative group of Year 9 art students (age 13-14) from Tudor Grange Academy Solihull are this week’s Charity Champions, after using their bear-illiant artistic talents to raise a ‘paw-some’ £2,278.90 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity. 

The pupils were inspired to start the project after their involvement in The Big Sleuth, a public art trail which saw around 237 beautifully decorated, sun bear sculptures on display across Bear-mingham this summer. As part of The Big Sleuth Learning Programme, Tudor Grange Academy Solihull created their very own bear cub called ‘The Great Sun Bear Constellation’ which then enthused The Art Department to work with their Year 9’s to create lino prints of bears to sell and raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.

With many staff and students having first-hand experience of the amazing support and treatment Birmingham Children’s Hospital, including the school’s Principle, Mr Darren Turner, whose own son was diagnosed with a brain tumour and treated for several years at the hospital, the bear art sale was the ‘paw-fect’ way of showcasing the student’s skills whilst at the same time supporting the charity.

Principle Mr Darren Turner, comments, “We are so incredibly grateful to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, my son simply wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for the amazing care he has received - from the diagnosis of his brain tumour, to the life-saving 9 hour brain surgery and the continual aftercare.

“Our students worked really hard to produce some fantastic art and their reaction when they found out their work had sold was amazing! They were absolutely delighted that their work had raised so much money for such a great cause.”

Miranda Williams, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to the staff and Year 9 art students at Tudor Grange Academy Solihull who took the time to create some incredible art and holding a grrr-eat fundraiser to raise a bear-illant £2,278.90.

The money they have donated will make a massive difference to the lives of our brave children and their families on our Neurosurgery ward (Ward 10), ensuring we can continue to push the boundaries and offer the world-class facilities our families deserve.”

For more information on Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, email [email protected] or call 0121 333 8506.