Published on: Monday 28 Sep 2026 at 11:11
St Clare Hospice is celebrating the phenomenal success of its Lions on the Loose Auction, which raised an incredible £142,350 to support the charity’s vital end-of-life care and bereavement services across West Essex and the East Herts border.
In a fitting finale to the spectacular Lions on the Loose art trail that has captured the hearts and imaginations of thousands of local people over the summer, every one of the 31 large lion sculptures went under the hammer and every single sculpture sold, as bidders online and in the room competed to take home a unique piece of local history.
Hosted at Harlow’s prestigious Saint Nicholas School, the atmosphere at the auction was electric, with artists, sponsors, supporters and special guests cheering on bidders as each lot went under the hammer under the expert guidance of Sworders Fine Art auctioneer John Black and the evening’s compere Wild in Art co-founder Charlie Langhorne.
Favourite sculptures sparked some fierce competition, helping to drive up bids and ensure a memorable end to what has been one of St Clare Hospice’s most ambitious and successful community fundraising initiatives.
Some of the most popular lions included the Sophie Ellis-Bextor signed Sophie the Disco Lion, which fetched £12,000, the William Morris-inspired King William, which sold for £10,000, and Roar of 66 signed by footballing legend Sir Geoff Hurst, which sold for £9,000, while Heel In For-rest, Hakuna Ma-dart-a and Transcendence each fetched £8,000 before the gavel came down.
The auction marked the grand finale of the Lions on the Loose free public art trail, which saw thousands of people exploring Harlow, Epping and Loughton over the summer holidays, and engaging with the work of St Clare to raise awareness and funds for hospice care.
Rosie Knowles, St Clare Hospice’s Deputy CEO, said: “To see every single one of our one-of-a-kind large lions find a new home and to raise over £142,000 is incredible. But what I am most proud of is how Lions on the Loose has brought our community together.
“Lions on the Loose has been so much more than an art trail – it’s been a celebration of community, creativity and compassion on a scale that we’ve not seen before in West Essex. People from all walks of life have come together through a shared desire to support hospice care close to home.
“From the artists and schools who brought each lion to life, to the businesses and organisations that sponsored them and the tens of thousands of people who set out to discover them in our towns, we’ve loved seeing and hearing how much the lions became an important part of people’s lives. From the little girl who told me that she could see a lion from her bedroom window and waved it goodnight every day, to community groups who held free mental health walks along the trail, Lions on the Loose has brought love and joy to thousands this summer.
“The energy we witnessed at the auction was a fitting finale to a trail that has captured hearts across West Essex and beyond. Every lion sold represents a lasting legacy that will help St Clare continue providing expert care and support to local people living with a life-limiting illness and their loved ones, while the awareness, partnerships and community spirit created through Lions on the Loose will continue to benefit the Hospice for years to come.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed and helped make Lions on the Loose such a roaring success. From everyone at St Clare Hospice, thank you.”