CLAN Cancer Support

One of the stars of this summer’s Wild Dolphins public art trail has found a new home in time for Christmas.

‘Bird Ballet’ had been pride of place within Aberdeen’s Hazlehead Park as part of the popular project which saw a total of 50 dolphin sculptures dotted throughout the city and the surrounding area.

And now the sculpture, which was designed by Allan Lawson and features a complex murmuration of endangered birds, has taken up residence within CLAN Cancer Support’s CLAN House on Westburn Road.

The dolphin will be located within the charity’s rear garden, where guests within the wellbeing centre as well as its Haven, a unique accommodation facility that people who are affected by cancer and their families can stay in when they are attending Aberdeen hospitals for appointments and treatment, will be able to view it.

The dolphin has been donated to CLAN by generous north-east company IMF Technical Services, with founder Iain Fenwick’s five grandchildren overseeing the handover to the charity.

The company will also donate another dolphin, ‘Inky Blooms’, to local charity Charlie House, which aims to build a much-needed north-east children’s respite centre.

Once completed, the facility will deliver specialist care for children and young people with severe disabilities, complex health needs and life-limiting conditions. The dolphin will be housed within Glashieburn School until the centre is complete.

Susan Crighton, CLAN’s fundraising manager, said: “Everyone at CLAN is absolutely thrilled to accept this donation of ‘Bird Ballet’ which is sure to make for an exciting talking point for those visiting CLAN House.

“The Wild Dolphins project created such a buzz throughout the summer and it’s great to see these pieces of art still leaving an impression throughout the city and beyond.”

Pam Fenwick of IMF Technical Services said: “We’re all delighted to be handing over the dolphin to CLAN; a charity that is so supportive of people affected by cancer throughout the north-east of Scotland.

“The grandchildren have all been really excited at helping find the dolphin a new home and it really is an early Christmas present from them to CLAN. I’d also like to thank James Aiken Engineering Solutions for its help with the dolphin’s tail plates and Dales Marine Services for its transportation; it has been a real combined effort to get the dolphin to its new residence.”

CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness.

Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Elgin, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Turriff, Kirkwall and Lerwick.

For further information about CLAN Cancer Support please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org