There are 128 colourful bull sculptures to discover around the city to raise money for Birmingham Hospice. The Bulls in the City art trail over the summer holidays includes chocolate-loving Cadbully, sponsored by Central BID Birmingham, and several with links to Ozzy Osbourne.
Based on the famous Bullring bull, the trail sees a stampede of 40 large fibreglass bull sculptures descend on Birmingham city centre from Wednesday, July 16 to Sunday, September 14.
Families can buy a map with a donation at the Bulls in the City merchandise shop in Great Western Arcade or download the app via the Bulls in the City website here.
There are also mini bulls to find along with two smaller herds in Boldmere and Harborne. There’s a fun cowboy-style Bronco Bully in Great Western Arcade and even a mini version of New Street Station’s much-loved Ozzy the Bull – called Baby Oz – and can be found in Selfridges.
Birmingham Hospice has partnered with Wild in Art, a global producer of art trails, to create the new, showstopping trail for Birmingham. Visitors can discover their favourites along the route.
Some highlights in central Birmingham include:
- Cadbury’s inspired Cadbully sponsored by Central BID by Apple store in New Street
- Bronco Bully sponsored by Drayton Manor Resort, in Great Western Arcade
- Baby Oz, inspired by Ozzy the Bull, sponsored by and based in Selfridges at Bullring
- A Cultral Kick Flip featuring city beauty spots sponsored by Sandwell College in New Street
- Perry The Bull, inspired by Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games, sponsored by United by 2022 and in Hill Street
- Heart of Gold, sponsored by Rolls-Royce Control Systems Solihull, in vibrant shades in Victoria Square.
The large bulls will be auctioned off on Thursday October 16 to raise vital funds for the hospice. Birmingham Hospice is the city’s primary provider of adult hospice care, looking after people in the community, in their own homes or at its two hospice sites in Selly Park and Erdington.
Sam Watson, Chair of Central BID, said: “We’re proud to support this amazing family trail that raises much-needed money for all the good work Birmingham Hospice does.
“It’s wonderful to see so many colourful bulls around for the summer – and another great reason to come and enjoy everything that Birmingham city centre has to offer.”
The 88 mini bull sculptures designed by local schools and groups will also be adopted by them, as part of the trail’s Learning and Community Programme, sponsored by Rolls-Royce.
Talented artists painted the large sculptures after submitting their designs way back in October last year – from floral masterpieces to murals celebrating the city and its history.
Paul Bytheway, Chief Executive at Birmingham Hospice, said the trail is more important than ever as the charity raises awareness of its vital cause.
“Bulls in the City has been an enormous opportunity for us as a local charity to shout about our work and the importance of hospice care across the communities of Birmingham and surrounding areas,” said Paul.
“This year, we estimate it could cost £19 million to run Birmingham Hospice. We are not fully funded by the NHS, and we heavily rely on voluntary income such as fundraising activity, income from our shops and donations to continue funding our services.
“So when you’re out on the trail this summer, consider donating to Birmingham Hospice, buying some merchandise or purchasing a trail map for a suggested donation – even the smallest amount can make a big impact.”
For those heading to Birmingham to see the Black Sabbath mural and Summer of Sabbath exhibitions, there’s also a bull featuring Ozzy Osbourne called Mr Crowley in Harborne, pictured below.
The art trail is possible thanks to the generosity of local organisations and businesses sponsoring the trail, including Central BID Birmingham, West Midlands Combined Authority, University of Birmingham and Selfridges. Other supporters were Harborne BID, Doocey Group, Drayton Manor, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Colmore BID, Brindleyplace and Paradise, DLA Piper, MHA and Salts Healthcare.
The trail is also supported by Restore Harrow Green as the trail’s vital Logistics Partner and Elonex Outdoor Media, as a generous Media Partner.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) chair, said: “Ozzy the Bull in New Street Station, and Laurence Broderick’s bronze sculpture outside the Bullring, have become popular city landmarks and have helped establish the ‘Brummie Bull’ as a symbol of the Birmingham’s strength and spirit.
“Bulls in the City brings a welcome tribute to this legacy while raising awareness of a valued charity.”
See all the bulls and find out how to get the trail at www.bullsinthecity.co.uk.