Castletown is so attached to its wallaby, it wants to keep it!

The sculpture, one of 26 large sculptures dotted round the island in the Wallabies Gone Wild art trail, is being auctioned on September 26 to raise funds for Hospice Isle of Man.

Estimates start at £1,000 and a group in town wants to raise £2,000 to try and ensure the wallaby bounces back to town.

The initiative is led by Secret Pizza, whose owner Tom Rowe said: ’It was painted by Eve Adams, a local artist who set up Balley Cashtal Beg (a series of fairy doors in a trail in town). We’ve got a fairy door in Secret Pizza.

’We see first-hand how it attracts people, not just kids but older people as well doing the trail round town. It’s getting people into town.

’The wallaby is involved in that and is an integral part of town.’

It’s all part of a reinvention of the town - including making the square a place for recreation not just parking.

The local authority has debated long and hard over closing the square partially or entirely to parking, reaching a compromise with partial closure, fake grass and deck chairs on the castle side of the square.

The move is in response to the changing shopping habits and the impact on the high street.

It provoked some criticism but it’s boosting business, said Tom.

’We’ve been here since May last year and definitely reinvention is happening in town.

’The commissioners have played their part in that. All of a sudden there’s a night out in Castletown.

’We see it all the time, we compare our takings over the year, how many pizzas we’ve sold is up. We see families all the time. The way commissioners have got grass and table football in the square.

’There’s a buzz around town. We’re getting more popular all the time.

’We’ve got an event in October which sold out in 19 hours.’

They’ve approached businesses in town to reach the £2,000 target.

If they are outbid what is raised will be split between Hospice and Balley Cashtal Beg .

The Hospice Isle of Man Wild In Art trail runs until Sunday (September 1).

A farewell weekend takes place on Friday to Sunday, September 20 to 22, where people will be given a time slot to visit.

The auction then takes place on Thursday, September 26.

It’s only the large wallabies that are positioned across the island that are being auctioned.

The 38 small sculptures that were designed by schools and community groups will stay with the schools and groups.

â?¢ See this week’s wallaby column on page 30.