St Clare Hospice is thrilled to announce the official launch of their first Wild in Art sculpture trail. Lions on the Loose will be a bold and vibrant public art trail set to take over the streets and green spaces of Harlow and Epping in summer 2026.
Lions on the Loose was launched at the hospice on Tuesday 10th of June, with event sponsors and partners, including Harlow Health Centre Trust, Harlow Council and Epping Forest District Council, joining doctors, nurses, volunteers and fundraisers for a celebration of all things lion!
This free, family-friendly art trail will go live in the summer of 2026 and will feature 30 life-sized lion sculptures, each uniquely decorated by talented artists, alongside 30 half-sized lions designed by local schools and youth groups.
Rosie Knowles, Deputy CEO at St Clare Hospice said, “Lions on the Loose is more than just an art trail—it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and compassion. The trail aims to raise vital funds for St Clare Hospice, while also shining a light on the hospice’s broader mission: to help people live well, not just at the end of life, but every step of the way.
“The lion, a symbol of strength, courage, and unity, perfectly embodies the values of St Clare Hospice and the spirit of the communities it serves across West Essex and the borders of eastern Hertfordshire. Trail-goers will be invited to explore the trail, discover stunning artworks, and experience their towns from a fresh perspective, bringing pride to their towns.”
Geoff Roberts, CEO of primary trail sponsor Harlow Health Centres Trust, said, “We’re proud to be part of a project that puts smiles on faces and supports our community’s health in such a positive, inspiring way.”
Around 25 businesses and organisations gathered at the hospice on 10th June to officially launch the Lions on the Loose trail. However, there are still opportunities to become part of this high-profile event by sponsoring a lion sculpture as there are 30 designs to choose from.
“The Wild in Art trail offers a fantastic opportunity for visitors to explore Harlow and Epping’s rich history and culturally significant landmarks, while also supporting the invaluable work of our local hospice,” said Rebecca Farrant, Assistant Director at Harlow Council, and Cllr Holly Whitbread, from Epping Forest District Council.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with St Clare Hospice to bring Lions on the Loose to Harlow and Epping in 2026. This will be a bold, creative celebration of art, community and local pride—while also helping to raise vital funds for such an important cause. These majestic lion sculptures will turn heads, start conversations, and invite people of all ages to rediscover their town in a whole new way. We can’t wait to see the trail come to life!” said Charlie
Langhorne, MD and Co-Founder of Wild in Art.
The trail will culminate in a spectacular farewell event and charity auction next autumn, where each lion will find a new forever home – raising even more funds for hospice care.
St Clare Hospice fundraiser and trail co-ordinator Lucy Woodington said, “Whether you’re a business, school, artist, or local resident, Lions on the Loose offers something to smile about, something to talk about, and something to feel proud of. We would love to hear from you if you’d like to be part of this fantastic event.”
To sponsor a lion or learn more, visit lionsontheloose.co.uk
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Photo caption: Anita, Linda and Ellie from St Clare’s Hospice at Home team with one of the large lion sculptures that will be part of the Lions on the Loose Trail 2026
St Clare Hospice is a charity providing specialist palliative care to improve the lives of people affected by a life-limiting illness in West Essex and the borders of East Hertfordshire. Our care helps patients, their families, and carers, to make the most of every moment together, no matter how long they have left to live. We support them at home and in the Hospice.
With limited NHS funding, we need to raise more than 70% of our annual costs to provide our vital services; in 2024/2025 the running costs of our charity are expected to be £8.1 million. We therefore rely on our local community to help us raise money each year so we can continue being there for local families facing one of the most difficult journeys in life.
stclarehospice.org.uk /stclarehospice @stclarehospice
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