Cool and the gang waddle into town

As Maggie’s Penguin Parade launches in style, Caroline Lindsay sticks her beak in and finds out how we can get involved

It’s not every day you get to chill with a troupe of dancing penguins, but that was the treat awaiting dozens of guests in the Counting House at D.C. Thomson’s flagship Meadowside building last night.

This was the official launch of Maggie’s Penguin Parade, which will see a colony – or “waddle” – of 100 colourful giant penguins invade Dundee during 2018.

Designed by local artist Janice Aitken, the penguins will be decorated by various artists before hitting the streets next summer. After their moment in the sun, the cool customers will be auctioned to raise funds to support the vital work done at Maggie’s in caring for local people affected by cancer.

The launch opened with a fantastic routine from Dundee-based street dancers Urban Moves. Dressed as penguins (what else?), they wowed the crowds and set the upbeat tone of the evening.

Then Shirley Linton, chairwoman of the fundraising board for Maggie’s Dundee, highlighted the need to make the Penguin Parade one of the most successful fundraisers of the year. “With an average of 50-70 visitors to Maggie’s every day, it costs £540,000 to run a year, and that’s why we need your help to push all the boundaries,” she said.

Maggie’s Penguin Parade is run in conjunction with Wild in Art and founder Charlie Langhorne pointed out that public art trails can benefit wellbeing. “They can act as a free health initiative and bring families together,” he explained. “These penguins belong to the people of Dundee and offer a fantastic canvas for extraordinary art to animate the streets of the city and bring people together.”

Lisa Mitchell, vice-chairwoman of the Maggie’s Dundee fundraising board, told The Courier that there had already been a fantastic response from businesses and the community, with 24 penguins already sponsored.

But perhaps the final word should go to penguin designer Janice Aitken.

“It’s wonderful seeing the penguins in a different setting and they actually look quite different on their plinths. The lady who took my coat tonight asked if I was the designer, and that’s what it’s all about – the people of Dundee.”

Brown. Picture: Steven Neil Cooney with his one-year-old daughter Arabella who enjoyed a chat with a pengun.