Ronnie Wood is among more than a dozen U.K. celebrities and artists who’ve taken part in a new campaign launched by the Tusk charitable organization to raise awareness of and funds for marine life conservation, specifically, endangered sea turtles.
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The Rolling Stones guitarist has painted one of 16 life-size turtle sculptures that are on display in various popular locations in Central London in what is being called the Tusk Turtle Trail. The decorated statues will remain on display until September, and then will be auctioned in support of Tusk.
Wood was on hand for a media event that kicked off the initiative on Wednesday, July 16, in Piccadilly Circus. A TV journalist for the U.K.’s ITV channel interviewed Ronnie about the campaign and the sculpture he painted.
Standing next to his statue, Wood noted, “[Sea turtles are] my old pals, you see. And I called this one Prodigal because they’re born on a beach … [then they] go around the world, and come back to the exact spot where they were born. So, the prodigal son returns.”
The 78-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer was then asked about the goal of the campaign.
“[To] raise as much money as possible for Tusk,” Ronnie said, “because I’m one of the oldest ambassadors, along with Prince William and [Tusk CEO] Charlie Mayhew.”
As for how the sculptures will help save sea turtles, Wood said, “Well, every little bit helps, you know, and all you can do is hope that it raises some good funds at auction.”
More About the Tusk Turtle Trail
Other celebrities who are taking part in the campaign include Monty Python member John Cleese, artist Ralph Steadman, photographer Rankin, and Deborah Meaden, a panelist on the U.K. business-themed reality show Dragons’ Den.
Among the locations where the sculptures are being displayed are Piccadilly Circus, the West End’s art district, Covent Garden, Carnaby Street, Leicester Square, and the top of the U.K.’s tallest building, The Shard.
More details about the statues and a downloadable map can be found at TuskTurtleTrail.com. The installations will feature a QR codes that visitors can use to make donations to the campaign. Donations also can be made at Tusk.org.
The sculptures will be up for bid online, culminating with a live auction held in London in mid-October.
Tusk previously has launched similar campaigns to raise money for the conservation of rhinos, lions, and gorillas. Wood also designed sculptures for all of the previous initiatives.
(Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
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