Oor Wullie to keep patients company at Perth Royal Infirmary
An Oor Wullie statue is being lent to NHS Tayside with no time limit after a generous donation.
Jolomo Oor Wullie received a ‘richt guid’ warm welcome at Perth Royal Infirmary where he was greeted by NHS Tayside Chairman Professor John Connell and Chief Executive Lesley Mclay.
The 70 statues were auctioned off, raising £883,000 for the Archie Foundation.
Norman Sutherland, Director at Higher Ground Health and Care Planning Ltd successfully bid for the Jolomo Oor Wullie which was created by the well known Scottish artist John Lowrie Morrison.
Jolomo is on temporary loan to NHS Tayside and is making his first appearance at Perth Royal Infirmary where he will be found makin’ himself awfy comfy in the upper waiting area in the Medicine for the Elderly unit.
Professor Connell said, “I am pleased to welcome Jolomo Oor Wullie to Perth Royal Infirmary and especially to the Medicine for the Elderly unit where he is sure to bring a smile to our patients, staff and visitors.
“I think Jolomo Oor Wullie’s decision not to permanently base himself in any one area but to have a few wee holidays at different NHS Tayside sites is a wonderful idea as it will mean even more of our patients and staff will have the opportunity to see him.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to Mr Sutherland for allowing Jolomo to start his travels off at the hospital. Hopefully he will be on his best behaviour and not get up to any mischief.”
Mr Sutherland said, “We are delighted to have purchased Oor Jolomo and to have him on the team. The Oor Wullie Bucket trail was a truly inspirational event for Tayside and Scotland that all of the organisers and participants should be congratulated on.
“We are delighted that the Archie Foundation and ultimately children in Tayside will benefit from the event and are very happy to have played even a small part in its success. We are also delighted to be sending Oor Jolomo ‘on tour’ to a number of local health locations in conjunction with NHS Tayside as an ambassador of the company so that he can bring his own unique “feel good” factor to those who could benefit from it.
“I am especially delighted, as a former site manager at Perth Royal Infirmary that Oor Jolomo’s first visit will be to this hospital and am hopeful that his presence there will bring happiness to many who couldn’t participate in the bucket trail because of their specific circumstances.”