Cuddly, three-foot high statues of the famous childrens’ character Paddington Bear are being sponsored by contractors Costain, Skanska and Keltbray as part of a major new movie promotion.
The Paddington Trail features 50 unique statues of the Peruvian, marmalade-eating caniform, designed by celebrities and artists including author Michael Bond, TV presenter Jonathan Ross, fashion designer Lulu Guinness and artist Hannah Warren.
The project was organised by The Paddington Partnership, a collaboration between the NSPCC, tourism website visitLondon.com and film distributor Studio Canal, to mark the release of the movie Paddington in UK cinemas in November 2014.
The Costain/Skanska joint venture, currently working on construction of Crossrail’s Paddington underground station, adopted a statue dressed in the traditional livery of the Mayor of Paddington, designed by the deputy leader of Westminster City Council, Robert Davis. It is located outside the canal entrance to Paddington Station and is one of eight statues scattered around the Paddington area.
The Costain/Skanska joint venture adopted a statue dressed in the traditional livery of the Mayor of Paddington, designed by the deputy leader of Westminster City Council, Robert Davis (right)
Keltbray sponsored a design by world famous architect Zaha Hadid, displayed at the Royal Exchange, in Central London, who re-imagined the classic colours of Paddington Bear’s signature hat, raincoat and wellingtons merged together in a rainbow-like a gradient.
Other statues of the furry Peruvian explorer can be seen until 30 December as far west as Heathrow, to the O2 in the east, and at some of London’s key cultural and landmark hotspots such as The Royal Opera House, Museum of London, Horse Guards Parade, the Museum of Childhood, and Selfridges.
Some of the statues will be auctioned online by Christie’s to raise funds for the NSPCC and its ChildLine service starting from 10 December.
John Price, managing director of Keltbray, said: “Keltbray is deeply rooted in London, where we help to develop the skyline and preserve our proud heritage, which Paddington is very much a part of. Paddington is also a symbol of childhood, which the NSPCC does so much to protect. As a company that firmly believes in giving all young people a chance, we are therefore proud to be associated with this inspiring initiative.”
Keltbray sponsored the Zaha Hadid designed bear at the Royal Exchange, central London
James York, senior community relations manager at Costain/Skanska, said: “Adopting one of the bears presents us with a great opportunity to promote the Paddington area and the work of the JV in constructing the Crossrail station at Paddington. We hope that the trail will attract additional tourism which will in turn benefit local business. There is also the added bonus that the bears will be auctioned for charity NSPCC.”
Kay Buxton, chief executive of The Paddington Partnership, said: “With Paddington the inspiration for Michael Bond’s world famous Peruvian explorer, it is only fitting that this lovable bear should now be encouraging visitors to explore all Paddington has to offer beyond the historic Station.”
The Paddington character dates back almost 60 years to when his creator, Michael Bond, bought a small bear from Selfridges on Christmas Eve 1956, as a present for his wife, and named him after the nearest railway station to which they lived.
In Bond’s original stories, the young bear finds himself alone in London, but is taken in by the Brown family, then sets out to explore the city.
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