Saying farewell to Lions at Large as pride goes under auction for The Big Space Cancer Appeal

The Lions at Large – Pride of Gloucestershire trail has helped The Big Space Cancer Appeal edge closer towards its £17.5million total fundraising goal.

The trail came to an end on Sunday 14 September, after hundreds of visitors took to the streets of Gloucester and Cheltenham this summer to spot 32 large lion sculptures and 54 lion clubs. On Thursday 9 October 2025, the lions went under auction at the spectacular Gloucester Cathedral to raise £220,000 towards Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity’s The Big Space Cancer Appeal.

The funds will go towards building a brand-new cancer care facility in Gloucestershire, which is expected to continue supporting hundreds of thousands of local people to receive the best cancer care and treatment there is.

Willans proudly sponsored a lion as part of the Lions at Large trail – The King by Lynne Hollingsworth – which went under the hammer as part of the auction.

Each sculpture was designed and painted by a local or acclaimed artist; celebrating Gloucestershire’s rich history, culture and diversity.

As part of our sponsorship, our firm arranged a family day for staff to explore the trail together, which included a stop at Cheltenham General Hospital to visit The King. The sculpture’s memorable design was inspired by a love of nature, Elvis and Lynn’s personal connection to the hospital.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign, snapped selfies with The King and joined in by exploring the Lions at Large trail; helping to contribute to the creation of a cutting-edge hospital facility for our county.

Find out more about Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity’s The Big Space Cancer Appeal.