Giant gnome Dumpty has found a new home

Colourful character Dumpty has been bought for £40 by an 87-year-old woman from a north Northumberland village, who wants to remain anonymous.

The pensioner is said to have a number of weird and wonderful objects in her garden, so the gnome is sure to fit in perfectly.

Dumpty, who stands at more than 11 feet tall, was made by Alnwick-based stonemason and builder Ivan Laidler.

His creation has become something of a celebrity after making a number of surprise public appearances throughout north Northumberland last year.

Dumpty’s visits to various locations, coupled with the sale itself, has helped to raise £250 in honour of Aidan Jackowiak Smith. The four-year-old, from Alnwick, had the complex genetic disorder Cloves Syndrome, suffering swelling to his face and body. He died in May, after suffering respiratory failure. The Dumpty money will go towards paying for Aidan’s headstone.

Ivan said: “I am pleased that Dumpty has found a home and he has gone to someone who appreciates him. And it is great that we have managed to raise money in memory of Aidan.”

Life for Dumpty has been far from quiet. The friendly figure was vandalised in October during a special stop outside the Northumberland Gazette office in Alnwick.

Having been patched up, he later went under the hammer at Alnwick Auctions towards the end of last year, but he failed to attract any bids.

Thankfully, there was to be a happy ending to Dumpty’s story, when he was bought by the pensioner recently.

Aidan’s mother Vikki said: “We really do appreciate all of the support we have received from everybody and we thank Ivan for his efforts.”