Author Julia Donaldson will present a special event at Blair Drummond Safari Park
Children’s favourite The Gruffalo is going on safari this summer in aid of charity Artlink Central.
Families are being offered the chance to get up close to the world’s favourite furry monster at Blair Drummond Safari Park on Saturday 19 August.
The much-loved beast will be joined by his creator Julia Donaldson as she gives a special live wild performance of her works, including a sneak world preview of her not yet released safari-inspired picture book The Ugly Five.
The event will raise funds to support the work of Artlink Central, a charity close to the author’s heart. Donaldson, who lived in Bearsden until 2014, has been linked with the charity – which brings artists together with those experiencing exclusion, disability or disadvantage – for more than a decade.
She said: “I’ve been patron of Artlink Central since 2006, a fantastic charity which puts artists, actors, musicians, photographers and writers into Scottish communities to work with vulnerable people like prisoners and people experiencing mental health issues or living with dementia.
“I’m delighted that proceeds from the performances and the book sales will go to supporting ongoing creative opportunities for children and adults across central Scotland.”
Director of the charity, Kevin Harrison, said: “Julia and her family will be acting out her stories and singing her songs in this hour long show for children, Julia Donaldson's Story Safari. The audience will be the first to hear from Julia’s new book with illustrator Axel Scheffler, which is inspired by Julia’s own safari experience in South Africa where she saw the big five animals – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos.”
