Gowling WLG is going for Goldie

07 July 2017

Gowling WLG is sponsoring a bear as part of the city-wide fundraiser The Big Sleuth, which is hitting the streets of Birmingham this summer.

Inspired by a Southeast Asian jungle design, the firm is proud to present its bear… Goldie!

Goldie will be one of the 100 bear sculptures part of The Big Sleuth, this summer's big public art trail in Birmingham's streets, museums and parks. Various businesses from across the city have sponsored artists to create an original bear design for the fundraising initiative.

Created by the artist Sue Guthrie, Goldie is a striking, 165 cm tall bear, covered in gold leaf with an intricately hand-painted design in black over the top to depict the natural habitat of sun bears.

Also inspired by the soundtrack to her Master's degree, Sue has paid tribute to the musician Goldie (also from the West Midlands) in the name of her creation, as his music formed the back-drop to her first few years in Birmingham.

You will find Goldie next to Birmingham Cathedral from 10 July until 17 September. When The Big Sleuth comes to an end, Goldie - along with all the other bears forming part of the trail - will be sold at auction to raise crucial funds for Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

As well as sponsoring Sue to create Goldie, Gowling WLG is also sponsoring Nechells Pod, a community hub working with local residents offering a range of activities and access to services to help empower the community and feel a sense of belonging. In sponsoring Nechells Pod, the firm has allowed the local community to participate in a learning programme and receive a bear cub, Rainbow Rory, which they have decorated themselves and displayed at their centre.

The Big Sleuth is hoping to follow the success of The Big Hoot in 2015, which raised over £500,000. More than 800,000 people visited Birmingham to follow the Big Hoot trail, which resulted in approximately £8 million of additional spending in the city. The positive effect of these trails is far-reaching, impacting the economy and the cultural and social life of Birmingham, which is why Gowling WLG is so excited to be involved in this next instalment. 

Media contacts

Rebecca Glover-Knight Senior Corporate Communications Manager Birmingham