Dustin the Turkey hams it up at Holly Days launch

DUSTIN certainly knows a thing or two about impressing women.

“I think I’m going to fart,” he roared, stuck, as he was, in the middle of a group of schoolgirls.

The girls, caught up in the infectious charm of the winged one, squirmed and laughed.

“It’s the closest they’ll ever get to Westlife,” scoffed Ireland’s only talking turkey, playing to the audience.

Given he was outside the Gaiety Theatre, in front of bemused tourists, it was appropriate he hammed it up.

Indeed the festive beast has often trotted on the august stage just off Dublin’s Stephen’s Green.

But yesterday he performed for a slightly more serious cause.

Together with girls from Mount Carmel Secondary School on Kings Inn Street, he launched the ISPCC Holly Days.

The children’s charity will this year highlight the dangers associated with drink and drugs in their campaign.

Holly Days will run throughout the month of December, with the help of schools, volunteers and the general public.

The holly appeal is now in its 12th year and generates around 300,000 for the society’s work and services.

This Christmas the ISPCC will be focusing on preventing drink and drug-related problems.

The ISPCC said that according to the National Drugs Strategy, 32% of 15 and 16-year-olds have used cannabis, 22% have taken solvents and that 89% have drunk alcohol.

The figures, taken from the European School Survey Project, are higher than the EU average.

The ISPCC said that the biggest single issue facing secondary schools was the use of drugs and alcohol by young people, with Monday morning hangovers and other after-effects being a common feature in most secondary schools.

“Christmas is a particularly vulnerable time for teenagers and young people with alcohol more freely available in many homes,” said Tadhg Daly of the ISPCC.

“In launching the holly appeal the society urges parents to be vigilant to the dangers of alcohol and to lead by example over the festive period.”

The Holly and Dustin badges will be sold in schools, workplaces and local communities.

Volunteers can contact the ISPCC at 01-679 4944 or at 021-496 2949.