This week we want to share with you one of Simon’s latest projects: the R Charity Liver Bird.
For those who have never heard of Liver Birds, you are not alone. Read on to find out more!
THE LIVER BIRD LEGEND
The Liver Bird is a fictional bird, that usually looks like a cormorant, and its history dates back to 1207 when the city was founded. In fact, legend has it that if they mate and fly away the city will cease to exist! The most iconic representation of Liver Birds is on the Liver Building near the docks. What people often don’t know though is that there are actually over 100 of them throughout the city! And now there’s a new O’Rourke Liver Bird in town!
ABOUT THIS BIRD
Simon made this particular Liver Bird out of Redwood. It is carved with some of Simon’s favourite Stihl and Manpa tools, and stands around 2′ tall, and it was commissioned for an auction being held at the R Charity Annual Ball.
4th ANNUAL R CHARITY BALL
The ball takes place on 6th September. The organisers (R Charity), work with departments across the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital Trust. They identify and deliver projects that will provide staff with equipment and facilities that will enhance patient experience whilst within their care.
The 4th annual charity ball is specifically to raise money for the Urology department at the Royal. Funds raised will go towards the purchase of a TRUB machine which helps to detect and diagnose prostate cancer.
R CHARITY
This is not the first time Simon has donated sculptures to R Charity. An auction at a previous ball raised over £2000 for the hospital, and earlier this year he donated work to raise funds for the hospital’s Roald Dahl Centre.
Simon himself is a ‘local lad’ (he grew up in the Waterloo area), and still has family in the city. More recently one of the Tree Carving team also became a patient at their Roald Dahl Centre. With friends and family benefiting from the excellent care the trust offers, Simon is happy to be able to ‘give something back’ in this way.
Tickets are still available for the ball where the auction for the R Charity Liver Bird will take place.
Email events@rlbuht.nhs.uk call 0151 706 3150 or go use Eventbrite to buy your ticket.
If the cause itself is close to your heart, you can donate on their Just Giving page.
Although Simon’s time is limited, and he can’t say ‘yes’ to every request, you can contact us about commissions for charity at simon@treecarving.co.uk