Tom Gilzean: Charity campaigner honoured with Oor Wullie statue in Edinburgh dies aged 99

A war veteran and charity fundraiser honoured with an Oor Wullie statue in his image has died at the age of 99.

Tom Gilzean became a regular fixture on the streets of Edinburgh with a collecting tin, raising over £1m for children’s charities.

A local hero, he was known for his bright tartan trousers and proudly wearing his service medals.

He passed away at Erskine House veterans’ hospital in the capital on Monday night after suffering a series of small strokes.

Mr Gilzean’s son Douglas, 68, told the BBC: “We are so immensely proud of him. He was an icon for his charity collecting and nobody in the family will be able to fill his shoes.”

Gina Clarke, Mr Gilzean’s daughter-in-law, said: “We are all very sad. There was only one Tom Gilzean and he will be very much missed.”

© Andrew Cawley

The Tom Gilzean Wullie statue was the top lot of the Bucket Trail’s Edinburgh auction, selling for £13,000.

His family had hoped to buy it, but were outbid.

A local taxi firm, however, stepped in to commission another sculpture.

Paying tribute to Mr Gilzean, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Frank Ross, said: “Tom Gilzean was the star of the Royal Mile and Princes Street.

“Nothing would dampen his spirits or stop him going above and beyond to raise fantastic amounts of money for charity.

“Come rain or come shine, good health and bad, there Tom would be wearing his trademark tartan trousers selflessly shaking his tin for charity.”

Mr Gilzean’s family said that everyone was welcome to attend his funeral.