Robbie Coltrane has raised £75,000 to help restore a famous Clyde-built steamship by selling personalised videos to fans from just £12 a go.
The Harry Potter star has been charging fans for “shout-out” messages on the celebrity video site Cameo to help fund the TS Queen Mary.
The historic vessel is under-going a £6 million restoration in Glasgow and Friends Of TS Queen Mary – the charity tasked with the project – has already raised more than £3.8 million.
Coltrane, who is patron of the charity, said he was inspired by the prospect of the ship sailing again.
The 72-year-old, who played Hagrid in the Potter franchise and starred in TV series Cracker, said he was delighted at the chance to be able to connect with fans on Cameo while raising cash for a good cause.
Coltrane, originally from Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire, said: “TS Queen Mary has always been my favourite Clyde steamer.
"She is an absolute beauty and I often refer to her as a pocket liner. I am inspired by the prospect of her sailing again and want to do my bit to make that a reality.
“When the opportunity arose to do Cameo, I was delighted – not only to be able to connect with my fans but also to raise money for my beautiful ship.
“I plan to redouble my efforts later this year as I want to help raise the money we need for her new engines – but only if I get to be the first person to switch them on.”
The actor charges £12 a message and fans can also book a 10 minute video call with the actor and up to 10 friends from £653.
Built in 1933, TS Queen Mary carried 13,000 passengers a week and was known as “Britain’s finest pleasure steamer.”
Spearheaded by Coltrane, the campaign to carry out repairs was launched in December 2015 after the actor was successful in helping to bring the retired ship back to Glasgow.
The TS Queen Mary is now berthed at a dock in Pacific Quay, next to the Glasgow Science Centre.
Michael McLaughlin, a trustee of Friends Of TS Queen Mary, said: “My colleagues and I are sincerely grateful to Robbie for his support for the charity and his relentless determination to get the ship back to sea.
“The money he has raised so far has, in part, been spent on the design phase of the project.
“However, his Cameo donations have also helped cover essential costs of maintenance and insurance. It is a very welcome boost to
our campaign.
“If Mr Coltrane wishes to kickstart the fundraising of the ship’s new engines, I am sure our project manager, Peter Breslin, will let him push the start button. No problem there.”
Princess Anne, after whose great-grandmother the vessel is named, recently announced it will sail again on the Clyde to boost tourism.
It is hoped the ship will be back in service by 2024.
Other celebrities advertising on the platform are Caitlyn Jenner who offers fans personalised video calls for £2175, whilst Canadian businessman, entrepreneur, and television personality Kevin O’Leary charges £1305.
Fans can also pay for personalised videos from So You Think You Can Dance co-creator Nigel Lythgoe for £870 and singer songwriter Chaka Khan for £696.
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