A FUNDRAISING appeal launched last month for Kelvingrove Museum is more than halfway towards it target.

The project campaign that will enable new specimens from Glasgow Museums Natural History and World Cultures collections to go on display in Kelvingrove's Art Gallery Life Gallery has captured the public's imagination and got off to a remarkable start with donations of £7000 already received.

The aim is to generate £10,000 towards the total cost of the redesign of the gallery in the museum's West Court.

The money will allow animals such as a wandering albatross, the smallest of the big cats, a leopard from Glasgow Zoo and other animals including lemurs from Madagascar and a duck-billed platypus from Australia to come out of cold storage at Glasgow Museums Resource Centre.

They will then be prepared for display alongside favourites like Sir Roger the Asian elephant. This will be the first significant development of this area since the museum reopened 10 years ago.

"The public have really got behind this campaign. To have raised more than half the target in a matter of weeks is an incredible achievement and we are grateful for every contribution made, said chairman of Glasgow Life, Councillor Archie Graham.

"The Life Gallery at Kelvingrove, home to Sir Roger the elephant and the spitfire is one of the favourite galleries across all of Glasgow's museums. It is a huge draw for the million-plus people who make the museum Glasgow's most popular visitor attraction. And its clear visitors have an appetite to see and learn about even more animals from across the globe.

"The re-displayed will not only help us to enhance the museum's natural history collection, but will allow us to tell new stories, giving visitors a better understanding some of the incredible animals and objects in our collection. We hope the enthusiasm for this exciting project will continue to spark visitors' imagination and enable us to reach our target and realise our goal."

The Spitfire suspended in Kelvingrove for almost 10 years is due to be lowered to the ground in October for a check-up. This scheduled work, which requires the Life Gallery to close from October until spring 2016, has provided an opportunity for changes to be made in the gallery and new displays to be created.

Those wishing to donate to the Life Gallery redesign can text WEST COURT to 70300 to give £3, pick up a leaflet in Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, or donate online at www.glasgowlife.org.uk/support-us.

Donations can be also be made in designated donation boxes located at the West Court area of the museum. Donations can be made before January 29. All donors will be recognised on an exhibition thank you panel or be credited digitally.

For more information visit insert www.glasgowmuseums.com