Over January and February 2020, KidsOut helped enable children in Edinburgh and Stirling to attend special performances of Oor Wullie, a play based on the classic comic book character.
Here is a blog post from Cole AD explaining how the agency, KidsOut, and a generous anonymous donor helped bring some much-needed fun and happiness:
“Thanks to the power of social media (and Oor Wullie), we’ve a braw story to share!
In December one of our key media outlets, s1jobs, was doing a drive on Linkedin to gather toys for the KidsOut Christmas Giving Tree charity appeal in Scotland. A businessman in America contacted KidsOut to donate funds for kids to see a panto, but tickets were sold out.
At the same time, we were blogging about the shows we were running media buy campaigns for. Our Managing Director, Stephen Cole, got an email over the Christmas break from the same businessman in America. Turns out this gent grew up in Scotland before moving to Boston in the 1960s. But as a wee boy growing up in Glasgow, he loved the comics of Oor Wullie and The Broons.
He spotted this post on our blog and was thrilled to see that the popular comic had been turned into a musical. What followed was a wonderful surprise to us! He put forward an offer to donate £1,000 to ensure as many kids as possible could see the show!
Our team went to work to make this happen, liaising with our contacts in the Scottish theatre world.
A special thanks must to go to Mairi McInally-Kier, Chief Ambassador Scotland of KidsOut who was superb in helping us put this together.
Based on the availability of local charities, tour dates & tickets – we split the donation between Capital Theatres in Edinburgh and Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling.
‘Thank you so much for your donation with gift aid for the purchase of ‘Oor Wullie’ tickets. We’re delighted to have this support, and to be able to get the students of Harmeny School the opportunity to see Oor Wullie. With our best wishes and my sincerest thanks.’ – Kate Smith, Director of Development, Capital Theatres
Our generous contact in Boston wishes to remain anonymous. As he loved comic books as a boy, we’ve given him the nickname of Captain America. However, he wanted us to share this story in the hope that it inspires kids to dream big & to maybe one day grace the stage themselves.”
KidsOut would like to thank Cole AD and the anonymous donor for their support in organising these extra special Fun Days.
Image used courtesy of Dundee Rep Theatre & Oor Wullie.
