TUESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER, 2016

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY EMBARGOED: TODAY TUESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER, 11.30AM, CONCOURSE (LEVEL 7) NINEWELLS HOSPITAL, DUNDEE

Jings Crivens Oor Dreamcatcher Wullie is noo hame at Ninewells Hospital!

The Oor Dreamcatcher Wullie statue is looking ‘awfy braw’ on the concourse at Ninewells Hospital ready to welcome visitors, staff and patients to the hospital from today (Tuesday, 27 September).

NHS Tayside Chairman Professor John Connell, NHS Tayside Chief Operating Officer Lorna Wiggin, non executive members of Tayside NHS Board, consultant anaesthetists Dr Grant Rodney and Dr Simon Crawley were joined by the Chief Executive of The ARCHIE Foundation David Cunningham, Dreamcatcher artist Suzanne Scott and representatives from The ARCHIE Foundation to welcome Dreamcatcher to his new temporary position on the concourse.

Professor Connell said, “The Oor Wullie Bucket Trail fundraising event proved to be an amazingly successful event this summer and I am delighted that Oor Dreamcatcher Wullie is now making his permanent home here amongst us at Ninewells.

“The campaign to secure our ‘ane’ Oor Wullie for the Tayside Children’s Hospital captured the hearts and minds of not only our staff who supported this fundraising campaign but also encouraged members of the public to dig deep and donate.

“It is fitting that Dreamcatcher, which was created with the help of children and symbolises the some of their dreams will help bring a smile to the faces of children and their families who attend the Children’s Hospital in the future.”

Dr Crawley, who was the driving force behind the staff fundraising campaign to have an Oor Wullie at Ninewells Hospital, said, “The response from NHS Tayside staff and members of the public to the fundraising campaign was absolutely overwhelming.

“I was delighted that, with the additional generous donation from Gordon Deuchers of GA Engineering, I was able to win Dreamcatcher at the Oor Wullie Bucket Trail auction ensuring that it would this Oor Wullie that would be making his home at Ninewells.”

Chief Executive of the ARCHIE Foundation David Cunningham said, "Our huge thanks to Dr Simon Crawley, Gordon Deuchar and all staff for their incredible fundraising efforts that contributed to a hugely generous total for The ARCHIE Foundation Tayside Childrens Hospital Appeal. We're so happy that Dreamcatcher will be located at Ninewells bringing smiles to all."

Suzanne of WhimSicAL LusH, artist co-ordinator and trail artist for Oor Wullie's Bucket Trail, said, “I couldn't think of anywhere better for him to be than at Ninewells Hospital. I am just delighted and quite overwhelmed by the enthusiastic crowdfunding efforts that allowed him to be bought at auction!

“Oor Dreamcatcher was created to inspire those around him to not just chase their dreams but to catch them too. Sixteen children helped me and Oor Wullie catch our dreams over the summer and I hope that the combination of their dreams and mine will put smiles on the faces of those needing a little cheering up or create a nice distraction from being in hospital.

“He will remind people of the inspiring project that was The ARCHIE Foundation's Oor Wullie Bucket Trail and of how it will now go on to help make Tayside Children's Hospital even better than it is now.

“May Oor Dreamcatcher encourage lots more dreams for years to come!”

Contact:

Anna Michie

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138