Tag: Tom Gilzean

Fundraiser Tom Gilzean remembered with Royal Mile sculpture 


A sculpture of legendary Edinburgh fundraiser Tom Gilzean has been unveiled on the Royal Mile to pay tribute to his extraordinary life and continue his legacy. 

Tom Gilzean was a decorated war veteran and charity stalwart who sadly died in November 2019 aged 99, having raised over £1million for good causes during his lifetime. 

Now, Tom’s charity Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) and Central Taxis have teamed up to celebrate his memory with a dedicated statue, ‘Oor Tom’, displayed in his favourite city fundraising spot. 

Tom became an iconic figure to both locals and tourists alike. Come rain or shine, he could be found on the Royal Mile or Princes Street, wearing his trademark tartan trews and shaking his collection cans to raise funds for the charity.

ECHC supports the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP). When asked why he fundraised 365 days a year in all weathers, Tom would simply say, “I just want to help the children.” 

Fiona Brian, fundraiser at ECHC, said: “Tom was an exceptional and inspirational ambassador of ECHC and we are immensely proud and privileged to have been his chosen charity.

“It is wonderful to be able to bring his sculpture to the streets of Edinburgh so all those who knew and were inspired by him can remember him and ensure his legacy lives on.

“We are enormously grateful to Central Taxis, the Lord Provost and Belhaven School Pipes and Drums for helping to make the day so special.”

Oor Tom was created by local artist Chris Rutterford to honour Tom and the thousands of children and their families who have been cared for by Edinburgh’s children’s hospital. Central Taxis funded the sculpture to raise further funds for seriously ill children and donated it to the city for everyone to enjoy. 

Murray Fleming from Central Taxis said: “We at Central Taxis are deeply honoured to have had the opportunity to collaborate with ECHC in commemorating the extraordinary contributions of Tom Gilzean.

“His selfless dedication to charitable causes is a testament to the spirit of community and giving that we hold dear. 

“This sculpture is not just a monument; it is a call to action for all of us to continue Tom’s incredible legacy of helping those in need. We hope that his presence on the Royal Mile serves as a lasting inspiration to both residents and visitors alike.” 

Oor Tom was originally on display on Princes Street as part of Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail – a nationwide art trail which raised money for Scotland’s children’s hospital charities, including ECHC.

To donate in Tom’s memory, visit: www.echcharity.org/oor-tom 

Open Up Your Heart – Remembering Tom Gilzean

On the 75th Anniversary of VE day, just a few days ahead of what would have been his 100th birthday, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity is asking people to share their remembrances of Tom, and to make a donation in his memory to help the children, families and staff of the Sick Kids hospital.

12 May 2020 marks what would have been the 100th Birthday of one of Edinburgh’s most beloved citizens – Tom Gilzean.

An indomitable spirit, decorated war veteran, and retired bus driver, Tom took up collecting for charity after his wife Anne died, and raised well over £1 million for his chosen charities.

Come rain or shine, he could be found in his bow tie and tartan trews, proudly displaying his medals and asking people to “open up their hearts” for the Sick Kids. When asked why he kept going with his phenomenal fundraising Tom would say, “I just want to help the children and keep them safe.”

When Tom passed away in November 2019, crowds lined Princes Street to witness his funeral cortege, scenes that would be unimaginable today as the centre of Edinburgh lies silent and deserted.

This spring, a host of events had been planned to honour Tom on his 100th birthday. Lockdown is preventing such public celebrations of the life of such an extraordinary man, but his incredible contribution to Edinburgh life should not be allowed to slip by.

While it is impossible to know what Tom would have made of the current situation, his son Douglas said, “I’m sure dad would have tried his best to find a way to help.”

You can email your memories of Tom to hello@echcharity.org, tweet us @echcharity or leave a message with your donation.

Please “open up your heart” and keep Tom’s memory alive by supporting the children and families of the Sick Kids.

Donate now

Thank you.

MBE for Tom Gilzean: Queen’s Birthday Honours

Queen’s Birthday Honours 2019

There are more than 100 Scottish recipients in The Queen’s Birthday Honours, including veteran charity fundraiser Tom Gilzean who receives an MBE. Others include:

Knighthoods for Professor Ian Boyd, for services to science and economics on food and the environment; Brian Donohoe, for parliamentary and political service, and Boyd Tunnock, for services to business and charity.

A Damehood for Laura Lee, for services to cancer patients.

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) include:

  • Dr Alan McDevitt for services to the NHS and general practitioners in Scotland
  • Professor Lorne Crerar for services to economic and community development in Scotland
  • Stuart Patrick for services to business and the economy in Glasgow
  • Lucy Juckes for services to education and literacy
  • Professor Jason Leitch for services to healthcare and charity
  • Ian Callum for services to the British car industry

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) include:

  • Richard Brickley for services to disability sport
  • Theresa Breslin for services to literature
  • Mark Gibson for services to heritage
  • Margaret Berry for services to women in business and technology
  • Joseph Mackie for services to the community in Scotland
  • Boyd McAdam for services to young people

Among those to be made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) are:

  • Lesley Logan for services to healthcare and organ donation
  • Rita Ciccu Moore for services to nursing and the NHS Forth Valley nurses choir
  • Christine Sloan for services to people with disabilities and to tourism
  • Sheila Whimster for services to the promotion of women in art
  • Anne Barclay for services to the arts and charity
  • Shereen Nanjiani for services to broadcasting in Scotland
  • Tom Gilzean for services to charitable fundraising in Edinburgh
  • Dr Ashok Bhuvanagiri for services to cultural cohesion and charity
  • Gavin Lee for services to the Chinese community in Scotland
  • Shelley Kerr for services to football
  • Colin Dorrance for services to law and order, the remembrance of Pan Am Flight 103 and charity
  • Charles Brown for voluntary services to veterans in Scotland
  • Ken Brown for services to sport and broadcasting

Among those to become a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) are:

  • Helena Anderson-Wright for services to the arts in Aberdeenshire
  • Jane Mayo for services to cultural heritage, business and charity in Argyll and Bute
  • Marion Levett for services to women in abusive situations and the community in Clackmannanshire
  • Michael Robertson for services to music in Angus
  • Lorna Clyne for voluntary service to hockey in Scotland
  • David Craig for services to outdoor education and canoeing on Speyside
  • Hazel McAllan for services to the community in Aberdeen.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has paid tribute to more than 100 Scottish recipients in The Queen’s Birthday Honours list. She said: “The Scots recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours have made exceptional contributions to communities the length and breadth of the country.

“Their service and dedication in fields ranging from the arts, education and sport to business, charity, community cohesion and science has helped to promote Scotland all over the world, and benefited people throughout society.

“It is also important to recognise the work our emergency services do to keep people and communities across Scotland safe and I congratulate those who have been awarded The Queen’s Fire, Police or Ambulance Service Medals.”

Also congratulating the recipients, the Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “Very many congratulations to all of Scotland‘s honours recipients. People from all walks of Scottish life have been recognised for their contributions to their communities and to our country.

“I could not be more pleased that Boyd Tunnock has been awarded a knighthood. Sir Boyd has made a huge contribution to Scotland’s economy over many years. His iconic Scottish products are not just much-loved by people across Scotland, but are an international success story. Throughout his long career Sir Boyd has made a huge contribution to Scottish life, never failing to stand up for Scotland. There could not be a more worthy recipient of this honour.

“Shelley Kerr’s MBE recognises her services to women’s football, boosting the success and popularity of the sport across the UK. I look forward to seeing her lead the Scottish team to victory on Sunday in France in their World Cup campaign.

“George Bell’s OBE recognises the enormous contribution he has made to the lives of young people. Through his successful property maintenance company, the Bell Group, he has trained more than 1,000 apprentices, giving those young people skills and confidence and setting them on the course for prosperous and successful futures.

“I offer my sincere congratulations to all the Scots who have been recognised by Her Majesty.”