A bespoke, handmade rocking horse previously owned by Sir Paul McCartney sold for £8,300 at auction yesterday with the proceeds funding equipment and research at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Built by Stevenson Brothers, the piece has been modelled on the former Beatles frontman’s own horse, Moonstar, and is inscribed with his signature and the lyric “Rockin’ horse people eat marshmallow pies”, from the Fab Four’s hit, ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’.

An additional surprise inside the “secret locking chamber” that has been built into the underside of the horse was included with the lot which was sold at the Ultimate Christmas Fair held at the BT Exhibition Centre.

Alder Hey was chosen as the selected charity by the Ultimate Christmas Fair to support the fundraising for its new hospital and equipment with money raised from ticket sales donated to the charity.

Louise Barrett, Alder Hey Children’s Charity, says: “Our new healthcare campus Alder Hey in the Park is a world-class facility that will cement our place among the top children’s health centres in the world.

“This time of year is for love and laughter, but for many families across the North West, it is a reminder of the struggles they’ve faced or the heart-breaking news they’ve had to deal with.

“Our mission is to provide our patients with the best possible care, while supporting their loved ones every step of the way.”

Stevenson Brothers has designed rocking horses for the Queen with field expertise for over 30 years and their previously auctioned horses raising over £1 million for global charities with the highest single lot at £35,000.

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