The Story of The Giving Bear

Let us tell you a Christmas story that is a bit different and, perhaps, unexpected.

Mr. Bear is just a regular polar bear, who loves his home at the North Pole. But over the past few years, due to climate change and global warming, his homeland melted away and now he is homeless. In need for a new place to live, he gets lost and ends up in a strange city called London. 

This isn’t home” thinks Mr. Bear, wandering through the streets of Westminster. 

As he sees colourful lights shining bright and the beautifully decorated streets, filled with Christmas shoppers making their way towards the heart of the city, he starts to feel more alone and overwhelmed. 

What are these strange looking penguins?” he asks himself.

Mr. Bear looks at them, but they don’t look back. No one seems to care about him. 

I don’t know where to go. Where am I going to sleep?” he wonders. 

Exhausted and scared, with the night fast approaching, he finds a quiet place to rest, in Berkeley Square. While he’s sleeping, many people walk by, unaware of this peculiar presence in the park. 

Then, someone notices Mr. Bear. Confused about what a polar bear is doing in Central London, they think of something nice to do for him. So they leave and, after a while, they return with a small gift.

When he wakes up the next morning, Mr. Bear finds the present, carefully wrapped and with a red bow on it. As he opens it, he finds inside a snow globe that reminds him of his home at the North Pole.

The Giving Bear continues to inspire change with his story. As the mysterious gift giver made Mr. Bear feel overjoyed and welcome, there are many kind-hearted people who can make a difference in the lives of others, now more than ever, acting with goodness and care.

This year, Veolia together with New West End Company and Westminster City Council are bringing back The Giving Bear. The environmentally friendly life-size light sculpture of a polar bear will be on display in Berkeley Square Gardens in London, every day from 10 am to 5pm, until 30 December 2020.

By visiting Mr. Bear and using the “tap donation” point next to it, you can donate £3 to Our Frontline, which is supporting frontline and key workers with their mental health during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Making of The Giving Bear

To bring the project to life and involve the younger generations in relevant issues to the community, Veolia collaborated with the Kingston School of Art’s Creative Industries students.

Built with over 3,000 reused plastic milk bottles, the project symbolises important messages on environmental awareness and charitable giving. 

 

See the Giving Bear's project journey in the gallery below.