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Current News

20 January 2009
Two very large wood carvings, by world championship chainsaw carver Peter Bowsher, have this week been donated for auction to benefit two major charities, Make a Wish and the Princes Trust, by St John’s Shopping Centre in Perth, Scotland. Siobhan McConnell, St John’s Shopping Centre manager said “These two pieces are unique and destined to become collector’s items. They certainly brought smiles to many local people’s faces over the festive period and we’re very happy that we can donate them to two very good causes so they can continue to make people smile. ” Make a Wish, a charity that grants magical wishes to children facing life threatening illnesses, will accept the carving of character “WALL:E” from the Disney/PIXAR animated film of the same name. This will be the first to go under the auctioneer’s hammer at the annual Make a Wish Valentine’s Ball held at the Dorchester in London in February. Amanda Hillhouse, regional manager for Make a Wish, said “This is such an unusual gift and I’m delighted to accept it on behalf of the Make a Wish Foundation. WALL:E is an endearing love story and it is only fitting that we auction him at our fundraising Valentine’s Ball in February.” Mark Jephcott PR Manager Barr Soft Drinks said "We are delighted to receive St John's Shopping Centre's kind donation of their IRN-BRU Snowman carving based on the character from IRN-BRU's popular Christmas TV advert.” The Princes Trust, which helps 14-30 years olds who may be struggling in life, will be the second charity to benefit from the generous gifts when they accept the St Andrew’s Day Carving of the Irn-Bru Snowman. "In 2008 we started a new partnership with The Prince's Trust which has become the UK's leading youth charity, offering a range of opportunities including training, personal development, business start-up support, mentoring and advice. We are supporting the work of The Trust by investing in a number of their community programmes across the UK with a particular focus on Scotland. Our Snowman advert has become a Christmas classic in Scotland and we think that the Snowman carving is an artistic classic in its own right. We will use the Snowman carving to help us raise funds for The Princes Trust in Scotland by donating it to the charity's Scottish office to auction off at a fundraising event this year.” He said. The carvings, which were produced in the run up to Christmas in St John’s Shopping Centre, have become a local attraction with many people calling in to the shopping centre over the last few weeks to enquire whether the carvings are for sale. Chainsaw Pete’s carving of Oor Wullie raised almost £700 in Radio Tay’s Cash for Kids Auction in 2008. Further information about the charitable auctions, including details of how local people can get in touch with the auctioneers, will be posted on this website in due course.