Oor Wullie is aff on a braw adventure across Scotland to show he’s a’body’s Wullie.
His bucket trail, which raised £900,000 in Dundee two years ago for the ARCHIE Foundation, will take to the streets of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Dundee next summer.
The major public art event, which will boast almost three times as many Wullie statues in iconic locations across the cities, was launched last night by the First Minister.
The first nationwide public art trail has been backed by DCT Media and will raise cash for the Aberdeen-based ARCHIE Foundation, the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
The P&J publisher and the three charities have joined forces with international arts company Wild in Heart to create the trail.
Last night Oor Wullie fan Nicola Sturgeon was invited to officially start proceedings at a special ceremony in the capital.
She said: “The Dundee trail was a massive success so to extend it right across the country is brilliant.
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“It’s going to raise lots of money for fantastic causes and everybody loves Oor Wullie.
“People seeing the statues when they arrive is going to be really exciting for all generations.”
There will be a 150 uniquely designed human-sized Wullies which will be installed at locations across the country for 11 weeks.
This is the first time a charity art trail has gone as far north as the Highlands, with businesses in each city given the chance to sponsor the statues before they are auctioned off at five different events, with the aim of raising as much money as possible for children’s healthcare.
David Wood, chief executive of the ARCHIE Foundation, said the charity was delighted to join forces with the other organisations.
He said: “The Big Bucket Trail is such an exciting way to bring together people all over Scotland, not only to support the charities, but also to get out and enjoy one of the biggest art trails of its kind. ARCHIE is very proud to be part of it.”
Ellis Watson, chief executive of DCT, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be involved in this amazing project, bringing hundreds of Oor Wullie’s to the streets and raising bucket loads of cash for Scotland’s children’s hospitals.
“All of the partners involved are working incredibly hard to make this first ever nationwide trail something that everyone in Scotland can be proud of, and importantly, get involved in.”
For more information visit www.oorwullie.com
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