Stars of the arts, stage, music and screen have given their support to an inner city primary school.
More than 100 rare and priceless donations from Scotland’s brightest actors, writers, musicians and artists will be available for bids at a virtual silent auction.
The drive is being led by parents at Garnetbank Primary who are trying to raise upwards of £10,000 to help the school acquire essential supplies and creative materials.
The auction takes place for just 48 hours from 6pm on Thursday November 10, until 6pm on Saturday November 12.
Garnetbank Primary, in the heart of Glasgow, is an award-winning primary school with a strong rights-respecting ethos and a commitment to providing a caring and happy environment for children to grow and learn in.
Additional support
However, due in part to its inner-city location, the school is home to a high percentage of children living below the poverty line and in temporary accommodation who are in need of additional support and supplies.
In response to an urgent situation, parents at the school, including Mogwai musician Barry Burns and artist Karla Black, have pooled their contacts and volunteered their time to call on the great and good of Scotland for this cause.
Their collaborative efforts have helped to attract offers and rare memorabilia from the likes of actors, Alan Cumming (X-Men), Sam Heughan (Outlander), Douglas Henshall (Shetland), Kate Dickie (Game of Thrones), Frankie Boyle (Comedian), Paul Black (Comedian) and musicians Fran Healy (Travis), Paul Buchanan, Lloyd Cole, Stuart Braithwaite (Mogwai), as well as works from artists Jim Lambie, Brian McGeoch, Tony Swain and France-Lise McGurn and authors John Niven, Ian Rankin, Denise Mina, Ewan Morrison and Harriet Tyce to name but a few.
Garnetbank parent and renowned artist, Karla Black said: “Garnetbank Primary is a truly special place with a rich and diverse pupil and staff population, an excellent approach to learning and a culture of respect and care for our children.
“The work the educators do there, despite the challenges they face is simply phenomenal and I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
The auction site reads like a who’s who of the country's best creative talent and the memorabilia and prizes available are truly fantastic.
Barry Burns, Mogwai
All funds raised will go toward purchasing essential items and basic supplies, as well as arts, music and drama materials and activities, which are known to be important outlets for children to express themselves creatively.
'I’ve been on to everyone I know to donate something special to this important cause and they’ve all come through," said Garnetbank parent and Mogwai musician Barry.
“The auction site reads like a who’s who of the country's best creative talent and the memorabilia and prizes available are truly fantastic.”
There’s literally something for everyone at this virtual silent auction with more than 100 prizes varying in price from as low as just £10.
Shoppers can choose from a range of tickets, restaurant, beauty, retail and hotel vouchers, artworks, rare memorabilia, books, scripts, albums, experience bundles, personalised cameo videos and so much more.
Interested shoppers can visit the silent auction website now (address below) to view prizes, but will only have 48 hours to place their bids from 6pm on November 10 until 6pm on November 12 on experiences and items like original works by Jim Lambie and Karla Black, tickets to see Mogwai perform and a selfie with the band, drinks with Ian Rankin at The Oxford Bar, Virtual Cocktails with Alan Cumming, Douglas Henshall’s well-worn peacoat from TV show Shetland or a day’s writing consultation with renowned author Ewan Morrison.
Headteacher Linda Reed said: “The funds our parent volunteers raise will go a long way toward enriching our pupils overall learning experience and for that, we are hugely grateful.”
Donations
Visit the website now to register and receive reminder notifications ahead of the auction launch.
The organisers continue to welcome new donations and will regularly update the site as new items come in.
Anyone wishing to donate or get involved can contact garnetbankfundraising@gmail.com for more information.
