Paul McCartney selling custom rocking horse for charity

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Sir Paul McCartney selling 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds' rocking horse to raise funds for Alder Hey
BY LUKE TRAYNOR
11 NOV 2015

Former Beatle has modelled the wooden toy on his own horse, Moonstar


Sir Paul McCartney with his rocking horse

Sir Paul McCartney is flogging a specially-commissioned rocking horse - inscribed with Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds lyrics - to raise money for Alder Hey Hospital.

The former Beatle has modelled the wooden creation in the likeness of his own Appaloosa horse and signed it ‘rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies’ in homage to John Lennon’s trippy 1969 hit.

The toy, made by tradesman Stevenson Brothers, will go under hammer to raise money for the children’s hospital where Sir Paul believes his own mum briefly worked.

Bidding on the rocking horse, which also features an “additional surprise” hidden within a secret chamber inside the carved animal, starts later this month.


Sir Paul McCartney signs Stevenson Brothers rocking horse

Stevenson Bros, who have made creations for The Queen, copied the colourings and markings of Sir Paul’s Moonstar horse.

A spokesman for McCartney said: “This is a one-of-a-kind rocking horse.

“Paul told us he knows the hospital well and believes his mother Mary may even have worked there for a stint as a nurse.”

Sir Paul was 14 when Mary McCartney died from an embolism after an operation for breast cancer.

Alder Hey, which has undergone a £237m rebuild, will use any funds from the auction on lifesaving equipment and ground-breaking research.


Sir Paul McCartney signing Stevenson Brothers rocking horse

The decade-long project includes a giant indoor tree-house, an outdoor play deck featuring fish tanks on each of the six wards, a relaxation garden and interactive screens in patient waiting areas.

The new Alder Hey took two years to build and contains 270 beds and 16 operating theatres across five storeys.

Patients spent last month moving from the old hospital to the new site.

The auctions runs for a week from November 19. To place a bid, visit Sir Paul’s website.

The horse will be showcased at The Ultimate Christmas Fair, which takes place at Exhibition Centre Liverpool from 26 until 29 November. This is the only place people will be able to view the rocking horse.