As much of Britain prepares for a warmer than average Bank Holiday weekend, Mr Damian invites his readers to pause for a moment to consider the plight of the humble penguin.

When one thinks of Antarctic wildlife, odds are that the first animal you will think of is a penguin. Or possibly a bear, but we're only interested in penguins right now.

Few people realise that these somewhat comical animals, with their funny waddling walk and their own brand of chocolate biscuit, are in fact birds, and birds which are currently enjoying something of a population boom.

However, this boom is in danger of coming to an end, as the effects of global warming are leading to one of the coldest May's on record for the inhabitants of the South Pole.

As a result, scientists are predicting that millions of baby penguins could be at risk of frostbite, or worse.

At present they're reduced to little more than huddling

To counter these threats, Mr Damian is seeking to extolling his readers to donate unwanted warm clothing, or better still to knit a jumper for a baby penguin.

Clothing should be sent to the usual address where it will be packed up into the back of a big lorry and driven to the South Pole. An army of volunteers will then ensure that each baby penguin is given warm clothing thus enhancing their chances of survival.

The British Inventor Trevor Baylis has helped our campaign by devising a snowlar powered sewing machine allowing our volunteer tailors to make adjustments on site, ensuring a snugness of fit which will reduce opportunities for penguin body heat to be lost.

So whatever you do today, make sure you k-k-k-knit a jumper or else find one you don't need anymore, and send it to Mr Damian.

You may just save a baby penguins life. God Bless You.

Posted by damian at May 29, 2005 06:20 PM