Anchors will be aweigh across the north of Scotland next week at the climax of a year-long campaign to raise cash for a north-east cancer charity.
The Friends of Anchor’s 20for20 initiative, celebrating the 20th year of the organisation which supports cancer patients across the north-east, Moray, Orkney and Shetland, invited local artists to create special anchor sculptures.
Their 20 designs have been on display across the regions supported by Anchor since the start of the year and, next week, 14 of them will go under the hammer to raise funds for the charity’s £1million Dream Big appeal to recruit a world-class cancer research team to the north-east.
Aberdeen and Northern Mart’s Colin Slessor, an auctioneer from the BBC series The Mart, will be wielding the gavel at next Thursday’s auction at the Chester Hotel.
Mr Slessor said: “This is a cause that is very close to my heart. I have seen first-hand the difference Friends of Anchor’s support makes for north-east cancer patients.
“I am only too happy to play a part in helping this great local charity raise as much as they can for these iconic birthday anchors.
Jim Milne, chairman of Friends of Anchor, added: “The 20for20 Anchor Auction marks the swansong to this very special birthday project.
“A huge amount of time, energy and coordination has gone into creating this anniversary campaign.
“Balmoral Group took on all the manufacturing and much of the logistics involved to keep the costs to an absolute minimum for the initiative, and we recruited a dedicated project team to see this birthday concept through to fruition.
“It has been a labour of love for everyone involved, including our generous anchor sponsors and campaign partners.”
