A Christmas card designed by one of Glasgow’s acclaimed artists is set to raise thousands for teenagers living in poverty in the city.

Adrian McMurchie has produced a dot to dot illustration of the Duke of Wellington statue – with its familiar traffic cone topping replaced by a Santa hat.

Other cards also feature Santa Claus looking after us all by wearing a festive face covering.

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Adrian’s previous works are well known to Glasgow and Scottish audiences with his panoramic cityscapes installed in buildings across Scotland such as Glasgow Airport, Porcelanosa, Radisson Blu and Red hotels and The Corinthian Club.

The illustration features on cards produced by The Big Glasgow Christmas Appeal – a fundraising drive led by leading digital marketing company Pursuit, based in Finnieston, and renowned charity Glasgow the Caring City.

More than £7,500 has already been raised through sales of the Christmas cards as well as donations and support from Pursuit employees, customers and community and the appeal’s initial £10,000 target is set to be passed within days.

The money will go towards helping young people in Glasgow aged 13 to 19 who are experiencing hardship but whose age group is sometimes less focused upon in Christmas toy appeals.

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Adrian McMurchie said: “We’ve been delighted with the response to the Christmas cards so far and it’s fantastic that it is set to raise so much money for teenagers in Glasgow. This has been a difficult year for our young people and I’m delighted my work can help those most in need during this Christmas period.”

Ross Galbraith, founder of Glasgow the Caring City, said 13 to 19-year-old is an age group who are often overlooked and hopes the funds raised from the Christmas card will help make the festive period more memorable.

He said: “Many young people across Glasgow were already living without the support that a lot of us take for granted and this has only been heightened by the pandemic. There are lots of brilliant Christmas appeals but often we find those aged between 13 and 19 are overlooked when in many ways they need more help and care as they find their way in the world. This is such an important period in a young person’s life and the people of Glasgow have already demonstrated a willingness to step up and ensure many of our next generation are not forgotten about.

“Our thanks go to Adrian and Pursuit who have given selflessly to support this Christmas appeal, and the monies raised from the cards will go some way to making this festive period a more memorable time for the young people we are helping.”

Lorraine Gray, Director at Pursuit, said Adrian’s work is fantastic adding: "We’re thrilled that he has joined with us and Glasgow the Caring City to help the city’s young people. Teens living in poverty have faced lockdown in some really difficult circumstances, and with youth clubs and other services closed, any access they previously had to support organisations was lost – and there’s no one to spot anyone suffering abuse or in a vulnerable situation.

“Pursuit chose Glasgow the Caring City as our Christmas appeal recipient as it is a brilliant charity doing great work locally and internationally and 100% of the money raised goes to those who need it. This appeal will help the charity address challenges which are all too common for some young people in Glasgow.”

To purchase the charity Christmas cards, which are £6.00 for a pack of 12, visit www.glasgowchristmasappeal.co.uk/cards