The first penguin to be installed in the Maggie’s Penguin Parade, Charles, was unveiled by volunteers Jack Stott and Stuart Davidson in Kirriemuir last night. Another of the statues has been inspired by the brave cancer battle of Fi Munro. Picture: Kim Ce

CHARITY: Maggie’s penguin ready to be unveiled after bond is formed between sufferer and boy, 5

A Maggie’s Penguin Parade statue inspired by the brave cancer battle of a Tayside woman will be unveiled this week.

Dundonian writer-illustrator Lindsey Gardiner struck up a friendship with Fi Munro, who is living with the disease, when she produced artwork for the blogger’s book Love, Light and Mermaid Tales.

Miss Gardiner, who is also a textiles lecturer at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, soon began taking her son Harris Weir, 5, to the Errol woman’s yoga classes for children.

Mrs Munro and the youngster struck up such a close bond during their sessions it inspired Miss Gardiner to design a “Yogi” bird for the parade.

The sculpture will be placed in Baxter Park in Dundee later this week.

The story of Harris and Mrs Munro’s bond is told through a number of illustrations of young penguins in yoga poses. It is one of a series of statues which have started springing up in locations across Courier Country, including Kirriemuir.

Mrs Munro was first diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer in January 2016 and had operations to remove five of her organs, and parts of four others, before the disease went into remission.

When told it had returned in January she turned down chemotherapy and embarked on a fundraiser to secure the drug Avastin privately, beginning a course of treatment.

Miss Gardiner, 46, said Harris had come out of his shell thanks to Mrs Munro’s yoga lessons, adding: “He told me she has magic powers.”

She said the design for the penguin was inspired by a story Mrs Munro had told Harris during their lessons.

She added: “We consulted on which poses she does most with the kids. There is a pose on the back, it is a warrior pose and it says: ‘This is for you Fi’.”

The penguin itself represents Mrs Munro, while the young animal painted on its belly is Harris.

The penguin itself represents Fi, Mrs Munro said, adding: “I was really touched. I like that it is not about cancer — it is about love.

Mrs Munro and Miss Gardiner plan to host an outdoor yoga class, illustration workshop and picnic next to the penguin in Baxter Park on July 17 at 10.30am.

bdingwall@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: Kim Cessford. Into the Angus wilds: The first penguin to be installed was in Kirriemuir. ‘Charles’ is sponsored by Delson Contracts.

Picture: Steve Macdougall. Pick up a piece of inspiration: Fi Munro and one of her chicks. Above, right: Colourful creations.