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A campaign to save High Wycombe’s iconic Red Lion gained support this week as creative children gave the neglected statue a new lease of life.

So far more than £8,300 of an £11,000 target has been collected in a bid to restore the landmark to its former glory and maintain it for future generations.

The Bucks Free Press has been leading the fundraising campaign since last month, but this week we enlisted the help of the same people we hoped would enjoy it for years to come.

Dozens of children entered the colouring competition, with 10-year-old Kayleigh Brown-Dixon, from High Wycombe, picked as the overall winner for her colourful design.

After narrowing down the most creative and colourful designs, the St Michael’s Catholic School pupil was picked as the best and will take home a family pass to see the real-life lions at Woburn Safari Park.

Congratulations to Kayleigh and a massive thank you to everyone who took part.

The winning entry marked the end of another brilliant week for the fundraising campaign, as hundreds more people were had the opportunity to get up close to the lion at a special event on The Rye.

Expert woodcarver Colin Mantripp took the head of the lion down to a High Wycombe Society exhibition at Pann Mill on Sunday, raising more awareness and another £100 to help save the statue.

Free Press Nostalgia expert Mike Dewey helped organise the event and spoke to visitors about the lion’s history.

He said: “The head of the lion was a big attraction. People wanted to have their picture taken next to it.”

“We didn’t expect to collect too much money, but got over a £100 and received a lot of interest from people of all ages.”

With £750 to be added to the fund from community groups, just less than £2,000 is needed to reach the goal. Donate here