Crivvens! Princess joins Oor Wullie for launch of Big Bucket Trail in capital

CHARITY: Tourist trail to raise cash for sick children

Princess Beatrice has launched a tourist trail featuring comic book character Oor Wullie, which it is hoped will raise a significant sum for sick children.

Beatrice, patron of the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, joined youngsters in the city to unveil Oor Wullie’s Big Bucket Trail.

Some 200 life-sized sculptures of the DC Thomson character will be found in streets across Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness from June 17 to August 30.

The tourist trail hopes to attract a million members of the public and raise funds through linked events and the eventual sale of the sculptures, with the cash going to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, The ARCHIE Foundation and Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.

A further 350 “wee” sculptures decorated by schools, youth and community groups will be available to view at libraries, art galleries and shopping centres.

Two pupils from the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh were invited to meet Princess Beatrice at the Scottish Storytelling Centre after making a sculpture of a vision-impaired Oor Wullie.

He has a white cane and tactile materials have been used to create textures that can be felt by children who are themselves vision impaired.

Bo Cox, eight, and Aiden Murray, 13, joined the princess for a story read by children’s author Ed Vere followed by a city walkabout.

Coach operator Scottish Citylink is offering discounted travel to those touring the Oor Wullie statues across the country.

Picture: PA. Princess Beatrice joins children from Scotland’s children’s hospital charities as she takes part in the Oor Wullie’s Big Bucket Trail in Edinburgh.