Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill praises Pride of Yorkshire lioness created in her honour
This lioness is race-ready as she gets the stamp of approval from gold-medallist, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill.
The Pride of Yorkshire painting studio on The Moor had a special visitor this week as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill popped in to see a lioness sculpture created in her honour.
Designed and painted by Doncaster artist Natasha Clarke, the sculpture, titled “The Dame” features two striking portraits of the gold-medallist as she sprints towards the finish line.
Seeing the portrait up-close, Dame Jessica told the artist: “You’ve really captured me – that is my face! It’s absolutely beautiful and I feel really honoured. I can’t wait to see it out on the streets, and to come and do the trail with my family.”
Artist Natasha said that the design was a natural choice for the project, saying: ““As a patron of Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill felt like the perfect fit – an Olympic athlete and an inspirational woman in her own right.”
“She also shares a similar mixed heritage to me, with Jamaican roots, so it felt like a really natural connection.”
Dame Jessica, who has been a patron of Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity since 2006, also signed the paw of the lioness sculpture – completing this fierce feline and setting her trail ready!
Natasha worked in the Pride of Yorkshire Painting Space on The Moor in Sheffield, which is a chance for passers-by to get a sneak peek of the sculptures before they go on display this June.
She said: “The scariest part about painting a portrait is capturing someone’s likeness, but quite early on people walking past the studio window were peering in and saying ‘that’s Dame Jessica’, which was really reassuring.
“It’s a huge relief that Jess seemed to love it too.”
“The Dame” is one of 150 sculptures that will be set loose across South Yorkshire this summer to celebrate 150 years of Sheffield Children’s Hospital and raise vital funds.
About Pride of Yorkshire
Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity has set an ambitious £2.8 million fundraising target for the Pride of Yorkshire campaign, with funds raised earmarked to support cutting-edge research, vital new equipment and creative therapeutic projects for young patients.
Key Dates:
June – September: Pride of Yorkshire takes to the streets, parks and public spaces of South Yorkshire.
Early October 2026: Farewell Event at Meadowhall.
Mid-October 2026: Auction of large sculptures.
If you’re looking for ways to get involved in this huge, region-wide campaign, why not visit the Get Involved page to find out more. We’re looking for Volunteers and big ideas to help make this campaign our biggest ever!
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