Lions Come To Bournemouth!

Children are being asked to paint the lion 'statues' so they can be auctioned off in the summer to raise money for the Born Free Foundation and Dorset's childrens hospice - Julia's House.

Miniature statues of lions are being delivered to several primary schools as part of Pride in Bournemouth, a project that encourages local people and artists to decorate lions, which will be displayed during the summer around the town and then auctioned for the charities Born Free Foundation and Julia’s House.

Schools can really show their creativity and artistic flair decorating the lions however and with whatever they desire. Whether its just paint, or stickers, fabric and buttons, they can let their imagination go wild!

Charlie Langhorne, Director of Pride in Bournemouth said:

 “We have been delighted by the enthusiastic response from Bournemouth's schools who have embraced the fun and creativity of the project, as well as the educational benefits of the Pride in Bournemouth education programme. A few schools are yet to get involved, so if your school is one of them - do come and join the fun!"

Each fibreglass lion is finished in white and is crying out for the creativity and imagination of pupils from schools across Bournemouth. Pokesdown and Malmesbury Park Primary Schools have already received their lions and are getting stuck in to making them really stand out from the ‘pride’. Each school also receives an educational pack, so the lion does not only bring fun and creativity, but it can also be incorporated into the national curriculum.

Vivienne Arkell, Head teacher at Pokesdown Community Primary School said:

 “We were thrilled to receive our Lion. We are involving the children in the plans and they have come up with some really creative ideas. I am so looking forward to the finished ‘lion’ at the end of term.”

Proud children at Kingsleigh Primary took delivery of their lion. Head teacher Richard Gower said "the children can't wait to start painting the lion; it sums up our school, being really proud of themselves, the school and the community.”