Artist Quentin’s offer is a hoot...
Phoebe Eckersley
ROALD DAHL illustrator Sir Quentin Blake is offering an exclusive sketch in a competition to save an owl sanctuary from going bust during the coronavirus lockdown.
The cartoonist, 87, is a patron of The Owls Trust and adopted his own bird,Woodii, in 2018.
And he was ecstatic when a Pel’s fishing owl arrived – still in its egg – from Italy before the virus outbreak.
It has become a permanent resident at the sanctuary which houses 65 birds.
Now the Matilda artist has sketched the feathered creature and launched a “guess the name of the owl” contest – to raise funds for the charity.
As the epidemic started gathering pace, the Owls Trust shut its doors and has already suffered massive cash losses.
It costs £700-a-week to feed the birds and keep the charity running in Llandundo, Wales, according to trustee Pam Broughton.
To enter, people must pay £5 – and the lucky winner will be gifted the unique Quentin drawing.
Pam said: “While we might be a registered charity, we are missing out on the money from donation boxes.
“Our revenue has completely stopped during the lockdown. It’s tragic that no one can see our new Pel’s fishing owl grow up.
“It’s one of the only Pel’s on display around the world.
“He has been hand-reared from an egg just for us here at The Owls Trust to help promote the plight of these owls in their natural habitat. The beautiful blonde character is extremely rare and comes from Africa.
“Some of the owls’ homes were also damaged in the recent storms – the owls, thank goodness, are all fit and healthy.
“Sir Quentin is really helping us get through this crisis.
“But it’s Quentin though, so anything he does is great. He’s incredibly talented.”
The competition midnight on June 30. closes at