He sponsored a guinea note that belonged to the bard as part of the Burns 250 Collection fundraising initiative.

The Burns 250 Collection is a unique sponsorship scheme which allows fans and followers of Robert Burns, from the UK and overseas, to help preserve rare items belonging to and relating to the bard himself. The items will be going on display at the National Trust for Scotland’s new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, Ayrshire, which is scheduled to open in autumn 2010.

Ian’s sponsorship will contribute towards the conservation, care and exhibition of the guinea note at the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. The National Trust for Scotland is currently fundraising for the final £1.1m needed for the project.

Speaking on his sponsorship of the guinea note, Ian said: “Having decided some time ago to sponsor an item, I was looking for something that would have a contemporary relevance as well as an historic one. As the world was in the middle of an almighty economic crisis at the time, sponsoring a bank note seemed a magnificently futile thing to do – so I did it. The guinea note has a touchingly embittered twelve line poem on the back, written in Burns’ own hand, about the trials of being without money.”

The Burns 250 Collection includes some 5,000 items including priceless manuscripts, exquisite artefacts and rare memorabilia. Jean Armour’s wedding ring, a manuscript of Tam o’Shanter and the Burns’ family bible are just some of the items within the collection.

Individuals, companies and clubs are invited to sponsor an item from the collection – the sponsorship money will go towards the conservation, care and exhibition of that specific item. This important support will be recognized in the world-class displays at the new museum.

Ian added: “Every country needs its heroes. Burns embodies so many of the qualities by which we Scots, for better or worse, like to define ourselves. Some Scots are uneasy about the potency of the romantic myth that has grown up around Burns. It’s right that the myth should be examined but never destroyed. To kill the myth would be to destroy a healthy part of ourselves. We would be depleted as a people. Burns had huge faults, this we know. But did his short life and work - those songs, those poems, that generosity of spirit - enhance Scotland or harm it? Supporting the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is the least we can do to thank him for his achievement.”

Director of the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Nat Edwards said: “The Burns 250 Collection is a great way for Burns enthusiasts to directly contribute to the care and conservation of some of his most treasured items and we are grateful to Ian for his support.

“We are in the final stages of the fundraising push for the museum and would encourage Burns fans around the world to support the Burns 250 collection, whether individually or as a group, to contribute towards the creation of what will be a magical museum dedicated to the life and works of the bard.”

There are varying levels of sponsorship for the conservation of each item, ranging from £250 for individual donors to over £50,000 for the most precious items in the collection. Those donating over £5,000 for items will receive a certificate, named recognition and, for gifts over £10,000, an invitation to the museum opening in 2010. The donation can also be made as a gift.

To make a donation for the conservation of a particular item in the collection please contact the Burns 250 team: Burns250@nts.org.uk or tel: UK 0844 493 2113, US: 617 227 7500, Other International: +44 (0)131 278 0424.

For more information on the Burns 250 collection visit: www.nts.org.uk/Burns/Burns250/