Kirriemuir residents turned out in force on Sunday to show how much they want to keep a Peter Pan penguin in JM Barrie’s home town.
Kirriemuir Regeneration Group is receiving the backing of locals to build up a pot of money to buy the statue which is part of the Maggie’s Dundee penguin parade.
Heather Kelly, 53, a scrub nurse, and Jeanette Reioch, 43, an occupational therapist, have already organised an exercise challenge during August which has so far raised £1,000 for the war chest.
KRG, in conjunction with DD8 Music, hosted a Penguin Picnic on Kirrie Hill on Sunday to further swell the coffers, which featured a barbecue, cake and candy stall, tombola, kite flying, live music, raffle, photo booth, and a variety of games and races.
The event raised £1,200.
Heather said: “The emphasis is on having a good time and increasing the community spirit within the town.
“Peter was designed for the community to come together and take part in the Penguin Trail, giving everyone a sense of belonging.
“We just hope that we can continue to have Peter Panguin here in Kirriemuir where he belongs, with the people who created him.
“I believe that Kirrie people are very proud of JM Barrie and his many literary works.
“Our wee red toon is well known the world over because it is the birthplace of Barrie and Peter Pan.
“Barrie was proud of the town as he would never have given so freely of his wealth to the community such as the cricket pavilion and Camera Obscura.”
Heather said everyone in Kirriemuir is getting behind the fundraising campaign with the hope of keeping another link to JM Barrie in the town.
“Even when I spent time on a mercy ship in Africa many of the people I met were aware of Peter Pan and related this with the author who was born in my home town,” she said.
“He is one of many famous people linked with Kirriemuir and we should be singing the praises of them all as past residents of the town.
“I truly think that as a community we should use his fame to capitalise on for the good of the whole community.”
