The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Final farewell to Oor Wullie sculptures at Slessor Gardens
Legend to say his goodbyes marking the end of event
Fans of the popular Oor Wullie characters have a final chance to catch all 36 statues at a farewell event in Slessor Gardens this weekend.
The event marks the end of the bucket trail, as preparations are under way for the popular sculptures to go under the hammer to raise funds for The ARCHIE Foundation.
Locals were stunned yesterday when Gary Mullen, who plays the iconic Freddie Mercury in the stage show One Night of Queen visited Slessor Gardens to view his namesake Oor Freddie.
The group, Gary Mullen and the Works, visited the sculptures in Dundee ahead of their show at the Caird Hall last night.
The sculpture’s artist Rhiannon Moore said the character was designed after seeing the act perform at Caird Hall.
On discovering the Oor Freddie sculpture was inspired by him, Gary joked he would have to win the sculpture at Monday’s upcoming auction.
He said: “It’s mind-blowing and it really is great because the Oor Wullie comics were a massive part of my childhood.
“It’s amazing to think that this was inspired by one of our shows. It’s quite humbling.
“I’ll need to try get tickets for the auction on Monday now. I think it would look quite nice in my garden but I’ll need to see what my wife thinks.”
There were also displays in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Tickets for the farewell event can be purchased on the day.
The sculptures will then go under the hammer to raise money for The ARCHIE Foundation, which is fundraising for a new children’s operating theatre at Ninewells Hospital.
In 2016, the charity raised £883,000 and organisers are hoping to top that at the auction at Dundee Rep on Monday.
Katie Kyle of The ARCHIE Foundation, said: “Dundee Rep is the perfect setting for Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail auction. The theatre offers a fantastic view for the auction unfolding and it will really add to the excitement.
“We can’t wait to see how the evening unfolds and we hope buyers will help raise as much money as possible to help sick children in Tayside.”
“It really is great because Oor Wullie comics were a massive part of my childhood. GARY MULLEN