ST Clare Hospice is giving a sneak peek of one of this summer’s Lions on the Loose free art trail sculptures, in advance of England’s World Cup match on Saturday 27 June – Roar of ’66.

Roar of ’66 is a bespoke lion sculpture featuring an old-school leather football under its paw, designed wearing the iconic red and white England kit by Harlow street art and installation business MurWalls. The sculpture was recently signed by football legend Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup, at the unveiling of a mural in his honour designed by MurWalls in Manchester.

Rosie Knowles, St Clare Hospice Deputy CEO, said: “We are keeping the magnificent designs of our 63 lion sculptures under wraps until the trail starts in Harlow, Epping and Loughton on 24 July. But with this special lion having been signed by World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst, we couldn’t resist letting this one out of the bag early to rally behind the England squad and show our support. Our local community can get a glimpse of how fantastic Roar of ’66 looks in the lead-up to the game against Panama on Saturday – Come on England!

“Lions on the Loose is a free art trail, brought to you by St Clare Hospice in partnership with global art producers Wild in Art, and will run for eight weeks across the summer. Roar of ’66 will be looking for its forever home after the trail ends and will be available to bid on at the Grand Auction, alongside all the other sculptures, on 24 September. You can find out more about the trail by visiting www.lionsontheloose.org.uk.“

Marc Silver, founder of MurWalls said: “What an absolute honour for us to be able to paint this lion, especially to celebrate Sir Geoff Hurst, the living legend, the last remaining ’66 World Cup final winner for England. Absolute gentleman on and off the pitch, and we’re so proud that we managed to create this piece for St Clare Hospice, now signed by the legend himself. Legend.”