A private tour of The Kelpies by sculptor Andy Scott is among the money-can’t-buy prizes going under the hammer for a Tayside charity fighting to equip Scotland’s frontline health workers.
The Masks for Scotland campaign was launched by Dundee University professor Jill Belch to buy personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical teams throughout the country.
It has already made more than £220,000 with help from some well-known faces including actors Brian Cox, Alan Cumming and Peter Mullan.
Among the highlights of the For The Love of Scotland auction is a one-year family membership to the V&A in Dundee, signed Scotland rugby and football shirts and a behind-the-scenes tour of Edinburgh’s Calton Hill observatory.
There is also a unique chance to win a dinner for two at celebrity chef Tony Singh’s home in the capital.
One of the biggest draws is a tour of Falkirk’s Kelpies with sculptor Andy Scott and his wife Hanneke.
A group of 10 people will get up close to the multi-award winning sculptures and hear how they were brought to life.
Mr Scott now works in Philadelphia but frequently returns to Scotland.
Most auction prizes will take place once lockdown restrictions have eased.
Mr Scott said he was proud to support the campaign. “This will be a unique experience to hear the story of The Kelpies from their inception to completion and beyond,” he wrote on Facebook.
Prof Belch, who also helps coordinate volunteer efforts in Scone, said she was thrilled with the auction line-up. “We are delivering PPE every day and it is heartwarming to see how grateful folk are.
“The care homes have been hit badly and every day there is a new challenge.”
She said: “It is amazing to see the wonderful selection of lots that have been so generously donated. I cannot thank everyone involved enough for their support and donations.”
Bidding closes at around 6pm – with various times for different items – on Friday.
Last month, the campaign prompted an online get-together of well-known performers, famous faces and writers including Annie Lennox, Judy Murray, KT Tunstall, Sir Chris Hoy and Ian Rankin.
The livestream, which brought in donations from as far afield as America and New Zealand, was hosted by broadcaster Edith Bowman.
