The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Purrr-fect £30k boost for charity
Full story, Page 6
A festival of felines in Aberdeen has helped to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
The project has involved children, community groups, artists and other organisations from across the northeast painting 100 replicas of Kelly’s Cats, which adorn the parapets of Union Bridge in the Granite City.
A festival of felines in Aberdeen has helped to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
The project has involved schoolchildren, community groups, artists and other organisations from across the north-east painting 100 replicas of Kelly’s Cats, which adorn the parapets of Union Bridge in the Granite City.
And last night they were auctioned off at the Marcliffe Hotel to raise money for Unicef, Clan Cancer Support and the Denis Law Legacy Trust. Organisers have estimated they have raised “well over” £30,000 through the project.
The grand hotel was filled with about 350 people who were on tenterhooks as the cats went under the hammer.
Among the bidders was Jack Kelly, the great-great grandson of William Kelly, the bridge architect who the cats are named after.
Mr Kelly, who lives in London, purchased Stardust, a work inspired by astronomy and space.
Another unique design that was up for grabs was Wimble, a tennis-inspired replica that was signed by Judy Murray.
But it was a cat inspired by celebrated local artist, the late Eric Auld, which proved to be the most desirable, fetching £3,600.
Project manager Sam Murray said the event had been a huge success.
He said: “We were all very pleased that it turned out the way it did.
“It was a great atmosphere with people able to mingle among the cats, there was a lot of excitement in the air for the live auction.”
The cast-iron leopards were first made in 1905 for the widening of Union Bridge, and were commissioned by the structure’s architect, William Kelly. While they were named after Kelly, they were designed by Gray’s School of Art artist and sculptor called Sidney Boyes.
Mr Murray added: “The next stage for us is to tally up the money raised and get the cats back to their owners. We will then present the cash to the three charities.”