Starlight Foundation fundraiser for return of Sun Spirit Statue to Currumbin

An empty podium is all that is left of the beloved Sun Spirit statue at Currumbin, but there’s a special way you can help to replace the iconic artwork.

Engaged couple (L-R) Carly Stooke and Joel Hurrey have had their wedding jeopardised by a double booking of the Currumbin board walk they were due to marry on. They now will marry on the boardwalk with the bikini babe statue.

Currumbin Beach is one step closer to having their Sun Spirit statue back, months after she was unceremoniously ripped from her sunny perch.

Since March, the podium where the statue lounged for years has been empty, a vacancy which has surely been felt by the community.

Nick Atkins on Sunrise, as the face of the plight of Currumbin's Sun Spirit Statue. Picture: Nine.

Tugun local and content creator Nick Atkins addressed the recent real estate video which revealed a second Sun Spirit statue by a pool.

“We investigated further and it turns out the statue was actually one of the only three that existed,” he said.

“So we went and caught up with the owners of that place, turns out these guys are legends and they’re full charity people, and their favourite charity is Starlight Children’s Foundation.

The Sun Spirit statue’s sister was found poolside in Sydney, and will make her way to Currumbin later this year. Photo: Realestate.com.au

“They texted me and said ‘you know what, if you can raise some money for this statue, you can have it.’”

And so, Mr Atkins has set his sights on raising $50,000 for the Starlight foundation, while the details are sorted of how the 100kg bronze statue will make the pilgrimage from a Sydney poolside to take her sister’s place on the Currumbin beachfront.

Content creator Nick Atkins (@nicka35) is raising money for the Starlight foundation to thank them for donating the Sun Spirit statue's sister. Picture: Instagram/@NICKA35

He said the fundraising started swimmingly, raking in more than $5000 in the first few hours it was live.

“It’s essentially a crowd-funding exercise to get this statue back, but also raise money for sick kids, it’s pretty cool,” Mr Atkins said.

He said raising the money would “mean the world,” to him, as it’s money which can help sick kids in Queensland.

The Sun Spirit statue at Currumbin.

The statue, which is valued at about $80,000, was stolen sometime between 6pm on March 19, and 6am on March 20.

Division 14 councillor, Gail O’Neill took to Facebook to say the development was “great news.”

“A few weeks ago, I reached out to the owners of Sheila (the sister of Sun Spirit based in Sydney) and assured them that the City would be incredibly grateful for the donation of Sheila, along with support from the Starlight Foundation,” Ms O’Neill wrote.

“We also confirmed that the City would cover the transportation and installation costs to bring her to her new home.

“A huge thank you to Nick for facilitating the GoFundMe to support this process – what a fantastic outcome for everyone involved!”

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said there were no updates in their investigation.

Mr Atkins said he hoped the statue would be in place before Swell Sculpture Festival at Currumbin in September.

In 2006, Sarah Casey from Currumbin looked over the piece called Sun Spirit by Frank Miles. PicDavid/Clark

Originally published as Starlight Foundation fundraiser for return of Sun Spirit Statue to Currumbin