This year, Veolia in partnership with New West End Company (NWEC) and Westminster City Council are bringing back The Giving Bear - a life-size light sculpture of a polar bear, made from plastic bottles.
If you are in London during the festive season, come down to meet him! He will be on display in Berkeley Square Gardens in Mayfair, London, every day from 10 am to 5pm, until 30 December 2020.
What’s the message?
The light sculpture symbolises important messages on environmental awareness and charitable giving.
The Giving Bear illustrates the story of a polar bear who loses his home as a result of climate change. Finding himself homeless in London, he encounters unexpected kindness through a small gift that reminds him of home.
This year, The Giving Bear is also serving as a reminder that it is more important than ever to be kind and thoughtful to others.
How to donate?
All those who want to make a big difference with just a small act of kindness can use the fixed £3 tap donation point beside the installation. This year, all of the money raised will go to Our Frontline, which is supporting frontline and key workers with their mental health during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key workers put themselves both at physical risk, and under psychological pressure, to support all of us and to keep the country moving during the pandemic. Samaritans, Mind, Shout 85258 and Hospice UK launched Our Frontline, with the support of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to provide all frontline and key workers with round-the-clock one-to-one support by text or phone call, as well as resources and tips to maintain their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
The artistic idea
The Giving Bear installation was created in 2019 by students from Kingston School of Art’s Creative Industries, who used upcycled wood and over 3,000 plastic milk bottles to bring the artistic idea to life.
“The Giving Bear” is a life-size illuminated sculpture of a polar bear
The installation includes “tap donation” technology
Come and see "The Giving Bear" for yourself
