Castletown has lost its wallaby.

The wallaby, one of 26 dotted round the island in the Wallabies Gone Wild art trail, was auctioned last week to raise funds for Hospice Isle of Man.

A group in town raised £2,800 to ensure the wallaby, decorated with a fairy theme, bounced back to town.

Despite an additional £1,000 offered by Wild in Art to raise enough, the fairies couldn’t work their magic and they were outbid with an offer of £5,200.

The initiative was led by Secret Pizza Company, whose owner Tom Rowe explained why they were so keen to keep it.

’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 part of that and is an integral part of town.’

Eve said: ’I was heartened and overwhelmed by the community crowdfunding bid organised by the Secret Pizza Company.

’Local businesses, families and individuals near and far came together to raise an incredible figure - over £2,800! I’m so proud to have created something that the whole town fell in love with!

’The auction itself was a whirlwind of an evening, the Fairy Wallaby was lot number one, so it was quite nerve-wracking!

’The guys from Wild in Art (the company behind the sculpture trains) very kindly offered to top our bid up with an additional £1,000, to try and help us win the wallaby for the town. Everyone seemed to think we were in with a very good chance of having the winning bid, however unfortunately we were out bid within seconds. The Fairy Wallaby sold for an amazing £5,200.

’The audience really were on top form, and were determined to raise lots of funds for Hospice. Whilst it was unfortunate that we were unable to keep the wallaby for Castletown, it was amazing that so much was raised for the wonderful work that Hospice do, and I’m so proud to have been a part of that.’

Half of the funds they raised for the bid go to Hospice and half goes to Balley Cashtal Beg to fund further community work, activities, attractions and events in Castletown.

Follow Balley Cashtal Beg on Facebook to keep up to date with what’s going on.