The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Oor Lifesaver removed – for his own protection
Broughty Ferry figure to stay indoors after being targeted by vandals
Broughty Ferry’s Oor Wullie has been permanently grounded – for his own good.
The Oor Lifesaver statue had gone on public display on the pier next to the Broughty Ferry lifeboat shed but is being removed because it has been repeatedly targeted by vandals.
The statue, created for last year’s ARCHIE charity Bucket Trail, was bought for the Broughty Ferry community after a crowd-funding campaign raised £10,000 to purchase it at auction.
It was put on display on the pier next to the lifeboat shed earlier this summer but is now being taken away to protect it from further harm.
Crewman Ewan Philp from Broughty Ferry RNLI said the statue will go back on display after it has been repaired – but only in indoor venues where it will be safe from harm. Mr Philp said: “He’s only been out for a couple of weeks but he has been damaged. People have been throwing stones at him and climbing over him, so we’re having to withdraw him from view.
“We are just disappointed but want people to know we are taking him away for his own safety.”
He added: “We are going to get him repaired and then we will put him back on display but indoors.
“The first place will be in the Lloyds Bank, as they are doing some fundraising.”
Broughty Ferry Conservative councillor Philip Scott said: “It is really disappointing that this should happen.
“Everybody enjoyed the Oor Wullie statues when they were out last year and it was great to have one on display in the Ferry. “It’s a shame this has happened.” Mr Scott added: “Sadly, this is just the way things are, some of the other statues were vandalised last year too.”
An ARCHIE spokeswoman said: “We’re very fond of all of the Oor Wullies and it’s disappointing to see Oor Lifesaver has been targeted by vandals.
“We’re sure he’ll be back soon so everyone can enjoy him.”
The Oor Wullie Bucket Trail was a massive success last year.
Fifty-five statues were decorated and placed around Dundee while another 15 went on tour around Scotland.
The 70 statues were then auctioned off, raising £883,000 for the ARCHIE Foundation’s appeal to fund part of the new children’s theatre suite at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
But a handful of statues had to be repaired during the 10-week run of the Bucket Trail after being targeted by yobs.
Dreamland Wullie was ripped from its base and left lying in the road, while Ardler’s Oor Wullie statue was also knocked to the ground.
The statue on Magdalen Green had to be repainted after vandals defaced it with black paint.