Aff Yir Rocker statue from Oor Wullie's BIG Bucket Trail finds new home at Edinburgh's Corn Exchange

(left to right) Paul DeMarco, owner of the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Tara Willis, Associate Director (Operations) Coulters and artist Wendy Helliwell

A statue from Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail featuring garments donated by some of Scotland’s top musical stars has found a fitting new home.

Aff Yir Rocker, designed by artist Wendy Helliwell, was bought at auction last month by the Edinburgh Corn Exchange owner Paul DeMarco for £5,500.

It will now go on display at the legendary venue, which is celebrating 110 years since it was built and 20 years since it was renovated as a music and events centre.

Sponsored by Coulters, ‘Aff Yir Rocker’ took six weeks to create and features garments donated by the likes of Midge Ure, KT Tunstall, Wet Wet Wet, Jim Kerr, Fish, Hue and Cry, Richard Jobson and Shirley Manson.

It was also signed by pop superstar Lewis Capaldi.

It was one of hundreds of statues that made up the huge charity trail seen all across Scotland this summer.

Scots singer Lewis Capaldi lends his signature to Oor Wullie’s Big Bucket Trail sculpture

Speaking after the sale of her sculpture, artist Wendy said: “The Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity has always been very close to my heart as my son was a neo-natal baby for the first four weeks of his life and he may not be here today if it wasn’t for the expertise and dedication of the hospital team.

“I was therefore thrilled to be able to help raise vital funds for this great cause. I was equally delighted that the Edinburgh Corn Exchange was the winning bidder. I’m hoping it will become a focal point at the venue.

“He might even collect a few more famous signatures at future concerts!”

Paul said: “I’m delighted to be bringing home the ‘Aff Yir Rocker’ Oor Wullie to the Edinburgh Corn Exchange where he rightfully belongs.

“The sculpture is not only a fitting tribute to the incredible performances we’ve hosted here over the past 20 years, it’s also a timely reminder of the importance of sustainability.

“Just as Wendy has given each of the upcycled garments a new purpose, we have given the Edinburgh Corn Exchange a new lease of life, taking on the listed building in 1999 and transforming it into the award-winning events venue it is today.

“We’ll certainly be giving Oor Wullie the rock star treatment when he’s officially installed!”

September’s Bucket Trail auctions saw a huge £1.3 million raised for three Scots charities, The ARCHIE Foundation, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.

Each statue that had sat on a street somewhere in Scotland over the summer went under the hammer, with all of them fetching thousands.

The top seller was Metal Oor Wullie, bought for a mammoth £25,000.