Auction

📅 Date: Thursday 24 September 2026
⏰ Time: 6:30pm
📍 Venue: Saint Nicholas School

The auction will be held both in person, with the option to bid online for those unable to attend

On September 24, 2026 our incredible pride of lions will be finding their forever home going under the hammer to raise vital funds for St Clare Hospice.

Expect an evening filled with excitement, friendly competition, and plenty of roaring bids as sponsors, supporters, collectors and friends come together to give these magnificent lions a lasting legacy beyond the trail.

Complete the form below to register your interest in the auction and apply for tickets.

Register your interest

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FAQs

Yes, the large Lions and a few little lions will be sold at the charity auction on September 24th.
The auction will take place at Saint Nicholas School, Hillingdon House, Hobbs Cross Road, Old Harlow, Essex, CM17 0NJ on 24th September. Arrival 6.30pm. Auction starts at 7.30pm (prompt).
Tickets for the live auction are now available, click here to book. Tickets cost £25 and includes your bidding paddle, auction brochure a glass of fizz on arrival.

What if I can’t make the Auction?
Online bidding will be available or you can submit your best and final offer which will be used to Bid on your behalf on the evening. Click here (insert link) to register for online bidding.

Can I preview the lots in person?
You can preview the auction lots at the Lions on the Loose Farewell Event which takes places on the 19th and 20th September at Passmores Academy, Tracyes Road, Harlow, Essex, CM18 6JH. If you are interested in bidding at auction and would like to preview lots, please contact sarit.lulu@stclarehospice.org.uk.

Who is the auctioneer?
The auctioneer is John Black, ASFAV, Director at Sworders Fie Art Auctioneers.
Online bidding will be available or you can submit your best and final offer which will be used to Bid on your behalf on the evening. Click here (insert link) to register for online bidding.
You can preview the auction lots at the Lions on the Loose Farewell Event which takes places on the 19th and 20th September at Passmores Academy, Tracyes Road, Harlow, Essex, CM18 6JH. If you are interested in bidding at auction and would like to preview lots, please contact sarit.lulu@stclarehospice.org.uk.
The auctioneer is John Black, ASFAV, Director at Sworders Fie Art Auctioneers.
All interested bidders aged 18+ are welcome to our auction. We hope to fill the auction room with people who are going to bid so that we can raise lots of much needed funds for St Clare Hospice!
If your ticket application is successful and you wish to bid for a Lion, you will need to complete a Bidder Registration Form. This will be sent to you after you have booked your ticket. Please return your Bidder Registration Form to events@lionsontheloose.co.uk or bring it with you on the night, along with your ID.
You must bring one form of ID which must include government-issued photo identification, (e.g. passport or driving license). If this does not state your current address, proof of address will also be required.
If you are bidding on behalf of an organisation, you must provide a copy of the certificate of incorporation, or, in the case of unregistered entities, other evidence satisfactory to St Clare Hospice. Please contact julie.foster@stclarehospice.org.uk for confirmation of what will be acceptable.
No commission or VAT is added to the hammer price.
No, it is not gift aid-able.
There is no way of knowing how much each sculpture will achieve. However, if you are saving up for a lion, based on previous similar trails, we expect (and hope) them to sell for £3,000 and upwards.
St Clare Hospice will raise invoices for each successful Bid at the end of the Auction and these will be handed to the successful bidders on the night for those attending – and will be emailed to winning online bidders. The invoice will show the Hammer Price to be to be paid, and identify the Lot purchased.
All Lions must be collected or delivered within 2 weeks of the auction (9th October 2026). Winning bidders attending the auction will be able to arrange delivery via our shipping partner who will be available on the night to confirm delivery costs and take bookings. This information will be shared with winning online bidders prior to the event.
If you would like to collect your Lion, you can do so, please email lucy.woodington@stclarehospice.org.uk to arrange.
The large sculptures are: H 1250 x L 1700 x W 600. Weight: 40kgs
The small sculptures are: H 700 x L 1200 x W 400. Weight: 10kgs
The Lions are made from a mixture of class II fire retardant laminating resin and chopped roving fibreglass over an initial brushed-on layer of gel coat.
Yes, each sculpture has been created by a professional artist.
All lots are covered by St Clare Hospice insurance until your payment has cleared. Once payment is cleared our insurance will cease and you will become the owner of the Lion and therefore responsible for any insurance cover.
Proceeds from the Lions on the Loose auction will go to support the work of St Clare Hospice.
Yes. Blank medium lion sculptures will be available to bid for at auction.
Our pride of lion sculptures include 30 medium lions that have been designed and decorated by local schools and youth groups. All but one of these smaller lions will be going back to the schools and groups that created them, as a legacy of the summer the Lions were Loose!
Our memory lion, Meadow, which includes dedications to loved ones incorporated into its design, will be taking up residence in the hospice gardens and will not be going to auction.

Get in touch

Trail Coordinatorlucy.woodington@stclarehospice.org.uk
01279 773753

Learning Programme Coordinatorellie.gale@stclarehospice.org.uk 01279 773734

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Auction

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FAQs

Can I Buy a Lion sculpture?

When and where is the auction?

How do I get a ticket for the Live Auction?

What if I can’t make the Auction?

Can I preview the lots in person?

Who is the auctioneer?

Who can attend?

How do I bid for a Lion?

If I am bidding on the night, what ID do I need to bring with me?

Will I pay VAT or commission on top of the hammer price?

Is my successful bid gift aid-able?

How much will the Lions be sold for?

If I’m successful, how can I pay for my Lion?

If I’m successful, how will I get my Lion home?

What size are the Lions?

What are the Lions made from?

Is every sculpture unique?

Will my Lion be insured?

Which charity will benefit from the auction proceeds?

Can I buy a blank Lionsculpture?

Are any Lions not included in the auction?

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