IT'S time to pick up a penguin!

Remember the cows in Manchester? Well, Bury will soon have its very own flock of penguins.

And everyone living in the borough, from businesses to children, is invited to adopt one of the lovable creations and raise money for Bury Hospice.

Members of the local branch of Soroptimists International came up with the unusual fundraising Penguin Project idea during a brainstorming session to raise money for the Dumers Lane facility.

Over the coming months, members of the welfare organisation will be staging a number of penguin-themed fundraising events, including a grand charity auction next March and a black tie dinner organised by Neville Neville from Bury Football Club .

One of the aims at this stage is to get as many people, particularly local firms, to adopt a carefully crafted penguin, ranging from a pocket-sized ten centimetres to those reaching one-metre high.

Mrs Sue Waddington, from Bury Soroptimists, said: "We want as many businesses and people to sponsor these penguins for Bury Hospice. At the same time the Penguins will promote the year of fundraising events leading up to the auction on March 23 next year, and a black and white penguin dinner for a which a date has to be confirmed. We would love to see as many penguins around Bury as possible."

The birds are being produced free of charge by artist and supply teacher Elsie McGill, and donations have been received to help cover the cost of producing the models.

Elise, who with her husband George owns McGill Fine Arts, said: "Each penguin is individual and slightly different. It has its own character and is just waiting to be adopted."

She laughed: "We have even thought of giving out adoption papers like they did with the Cabbage Patch doll."

An example of her work can be seen outside Fairfield Hospitals children department.

"The beauty of these penguins is they can be designed however you like. For example, a firm can put their company logo or colours on them."

She said the first penguin took a month to make from start to finish, in between working and supply teaching at Woodhey. Now each one takes up to three days to produce. Volunteers have been lending Elsie a helping hand at her studio in Ramsbottom.

So far 12 have been created, two of which have already been sponsored with the rest looking for homes to go to.

As part of their year of fundraising for Bury Hospice, the soroptimists are also collecting gold and silver which will be made into pieces of jewellery to be auctioned off.

Mrs Waddington said: "One beautiful piece has already been made and we are asking anyone if they have broken gold or silver chains, single earrings or any other items of jewellery which are no use to them to please donate them, along with other items for the auction."

She added: "We are also asking the community to join in with the penguin project by organising their own events, such as a coffee morning or tea party, where penguin merchandise can be sold. We will gladly come along with the merchandise or supply you with it."

Every penny raised from the campaign will go to improving facilities and providing additional services at Bury Hospice.

Information on how to sponsor a penguin or on how to help can be obtained by ringing Bury Hospice Fundraising Office on 0161 797 1748. Alternatively you can email to: suewaddington@tesco.net