The First Minister marked the start of a series of goodbyes to Scotland's favourite son for another year
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was first in line to say ‘cheerio’ to a familiar figure today, as she launched the Farewell Weekend for Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail.
Visiting the SEC in Glasgow, the First Minister marked the start of a weekend of gatherings across Scotland, designed to give a fitting send off to Scotland’s favourite son, Oor Wullie, who has popped up across the country in various guises throughout the summer as part of the national art trail in aid of Scotland’s children’s hospital charities.
The First Minister said: “Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail has been a huge success. The colourful statues of one of Scotland’s cultural icons have become a familiar sight across the country this summer and I am sure I will not be the only person to miss seeing them on our streets.
“It was a pleasure to help celebrate the finale of Scotland’s first ever national public art trail and I hope the farewell events help to raise even more money for children’s hospital charities across the country.”
The Farewell Weekend celebrations, sponsored by environmental organisation Zero Waste Scotland, will take place in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness – the key host cities of the three charities who helped bring Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail to life, with the help of DC Thomson Media and Wild in Art.
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and The ARCHIE Foundation will each benefit from the weekend of celebrations, as the farewell tour will conclude with the large Oor Wullie sculptures going under the hammer to raise funds for the three charities. They'll be auctioned off at Dundee Rep Theatre on Monday 16 September, Thainstone Centre Inverurie on Tuesday 17 September, Prestonfield House Hotel on Thursday 19 September, and Kelvingrove Art Galleries on Friday 20 September.
Shona Cardle, chief executive of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We were honoured to be joined by the First Minister to mark the start of the Farewell Weekend events for Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail– which promises to be a fitting farewell to what has been a fantastic summer attraction in cities across the country."
Roslyn Neely, chief executive of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Oor Wullie has taken over the capital this summer and we have been absolutely thrilled by how many people have got involved with the trail.
“We’re so incredibly grateful and we’re very much looking forward to meeting all our ECHC supporters at St Andrew Square over the Farewell Weekend to wish Oor Wullie one final, fond farewell.”
David Wood, chief executive of the ARCHIE Foundation, said: “It has been so much fun having these colourful, inspiring and individual sculptures on the streets of Aberdeen and Inverness/Dundee.
“The trail has brought friends, families, businesses, schools and communities together for a summer we won’t forget. We look forward to seeing everyone enjoying the sculptures one more time before the auctions next week.”
