By Angela Green: Tartanium set to go walkies through Dundee for Maggie’s.
Tartanium, a magnificent 4-foot fibre-glass Scottie dog made by fife artist Robert Mach, is ready for his well-deserved walkie through Dundee on Wednesday 31st January and Thursday 1st February, after raising money for Maggie’s cancer charity.
Tartanium, decked in a distinctive Tunnock’s Tea Cake red and blue tartan design, was successfully bid for by Apex Hotels at the Scotties by the Sea charity auction back in November, raising £12K for the charity.
Tartanium will be stopping by at Caird Hall, The V&A and Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa on a special two-day tour for anyone interested in saying hello to Dundee’s new four-legged friend.
David and Lesley Barnes, pictured taking Tartanium on a walk outside the V&A, are one of many Dundee families benefiting from the important work of Maggie’s. In 2023 alone, the charity supported over 14,000 cancer sufferers and their families across Dundee.
David was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2018 following a seizure at home. He first came to Maggie’s to attend a brain tumor support group and since then has been getting one-to-one help through the charity’s cancer support team. David has also secured a motability car and blue badge through Maggie’s benefits service.
Both David and Lesley have been actively involved in the Scotties by the Sea initiative, helping raise funds for Maggie’s. They recently helped at the auction and volunteered at the Wild in Art Scotties by the Sea Trail of Discovery in Northeast Fife, a 10-week outdoor art exhibit featuring over 30 Scottie Dog sculptures.
David said: “It’s great to see Tartanium back in Dundee! I’ve loved fundraising for Maggie’s. We’ve been involved in Run the Runway and helped at the Farewell Weekend for the Scotties by the Sea auction. So many people don’t understand what’s happened to me but the people at Maggie’s do and I’ve made many friends there.”
David’s mum Lesley added: “Maggie’s is a place for anyone with cancer, whether it’s the individual or a loved one worried about the future. The team there have helped both David and myself tremendously.
Maggie’s is a safe place. People think it’s a sad place but it’s not. We’ve met many people in similar circumstances who understand what we’re going through. We’re able to chat to people without feeling judged. We laugh a lot at Maggie’s and we always leave feeling uplifted. We are both extremely grateful and look forward to visiting weekly.”
Annie Long, Fundraising Manager for Maggie’s Dundee, said: “It’s fantastic to see Tartanium in Dundee following the ‘Scotties by the Sea’ auction in November, which is on track to raise £150,000 for Maggie’s. The money will go a long way towards supporting as many people with cancer and their families as possible in the Dundee area. This is all just fantastic news for Maggie’s.”
Averil Wilson, Managing Director, Apex Hotels said: “As one of our official charity partners, we are always thankful and grateful for the incredible work Maggie’s do in Dundee and across Scotland. David and Lesley’s story is testament to this, and we hope Tartanium will serve as a reminder of these inspiring stories and the tireless work Maggie’s do. We look forward to welcoming Tartanium to his new home at Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa.”
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