Bucket Trail officially launches

This one-of-a-kind project has introduced over 50 sculptures of Scotland’s iconic comic character Oor Wullie which have overnight descended onto the streets of Dundee and will be in place for the next ten weeks to raise money for The ARCHIE Foundation’s Tayside Children’s Hospital Appeal.

The charity, along with partners Wild In Art and DC Thomson, have spent the weekend placing the life-sized Oor Wullie sculptures in dedicated locations around Dundee. All sculptures have been individually designed and painted by an array of local and international artists.

Some of the designs celebrate recent world events including a Tim Peake inspired Astro Wullie, which will be situated outside Dundee Science Centre for the summer, and a David Bowie inspired Oor Bowie, in memory of the pop star who passed away earlier this year. Others celebrate Scotland’s heritage, including a Tunnock’s Tea Cake inspired design that has already hit the headlines.

Each sculpture has been sponsored by a business or organisation, with many local and national companies joining the Bucket Trail, supporting a unique project that will be enjoyed by thousands of people, young and old, and remembered for a long time after the summer is over.

At the end of the trail, in September, all the sculptures will be sold at an auction in Dundee, with all proceeds going to The ARCHIE Foundation’s appeal to raise funds to create a brand new twin operating theatre paediatric surgical suite for the Tayside Children’s Hospital at Ninewells.

Cassie Thompson, head of fundraising for The ARCHIE Foundation, said: “As organisers, we are very proud and excited to see Oor Wullie’s Bucket Trail arrive in Dundee today. An incredible amount of work has gone into this project, which is all to help raise money for The ARCHIE Foundation’s Tayside Children’s Hospital Appeal. The support from the businesses and community organisations who have sponsored sculptures, to the local schools who have embraced the project decorating their own miniature Oor Wullie sculptures has been amazing.

“This is a truly one-of-a-kind event that we expect will bring thousands of visitors to Dundee over the next ten weeks to explore the city, seek out the individual Oor Wullie sculptures spread across the area and pose for selfies on Oor Wullie’s trusty bucket.”

The official Oor Wullie’s Bucket Trail app will be available from Monday and members of the public can begin following the trail, collecting sculpture sightings on their travels and taking selfies with the mischievous champ along the way.

A group of Oor Wullie sculptures will also be taking part in a national tour in association with Scotrail. More details about the national tour will follow in the coming weeks.

To find out more about Oor Wullie’s Bucket Trail, visit www.oorwulliebuckettrail.com

For further information about the work of The ARCHIE Foundation, visit www.archiefoundationhome.org.uk