A mother who appealed to the makers of Peppa Pig to name Mummy Pig's new baby after her son who died from cancer said she was 'over the moon' to learn that Hasbro is aware of her campaign.
Colleen McNally said she is just amazed at the reaction and support she is getting from people after asking the show to name the new character Daragh after her son, who was the show's biggest fan before he sadly died of cancer at the age of 11.
Daragh McNally had very little conversational speech due to his autism diagnosis but could repeat every line of every episode of the popular children's cartoon series, which he watched daily on repeat.
He adored Peppa Pig so much, he had every toy and memorabilia which are now stored in the attic.
Unfortunately, Colleen McNally from Dundalk, Co Louth, was forced to say goodbye to her son Daragh when he contracted an aggressive form of lymphoma and died on November 24th, 2019.
Now the mam of four is delighted after her appeal has apparently reached show maker Hasbro.
"Daragh just watched Peppa on repeat every single day. Even though he had very little conversational speech, he could say every line from Peppa Pig," she said.
"Every Christmas he would get the Smyths catalogue and go to the Peppa Pig pages.
"He would get his finger and point to every Peppa toy that he hadn’t got and say ‘I want that one, that one, that one.
"Even on our trip to London last year, we walked into Hamleys and there were Peppa Pig books in front of us.
"It was like a sign that Daragh was with us.
"George Pig was his favourite. All his toys are in the attic apart from one on his resting place and his favourite George which is on myself and Paul's bed.
"I didn't think I'd be able to reach Hasbro but I got a call from BBC Ulster to say they had been in contact with Hasbro who were aware of the appeal and were considering it.
"My appeal has been shared so many times that my phone and social media has been hopping. People are just so touched by it and would also love to see it happen.
"It may never become a reality but at least Hasbro know about Daragh's love for Peppa Pig and it has given joy to so many other parents out there."
In her social media appeal, Colleen said: "Daragh was so special and Peppa Pig's biggest fan.
"We are eternally heartbroken. We own every Peppa Pig book and even to this day, we buy Daragh a Peppa Pig toy or annual or book on his birthday and anniversaries.
"Before Daragh got sick, we were planning to go to Paulton Park because all he wanted to do was the balloon ride.
"At Daragh's resting place, we got a Peppa balloon on his headstone and a peppa blanket on his resting bed and even the number plates on the car that drove him there were Peppa plates.
"I hear Mummy Pig is having a new little baby in the summer. Wouldn't it be amazing if it was called Daragh or Dara.
"This would be such an honour and would mean so much to us, a heartbroken family. "
In a statement, Hasbro said: "We have seen this (thread) and it warms the brand to know that the announcement of a new member of the Peppa Pig family brings happiness to so many fans. We look forward to introducing the world to the newest member of the Peppa Pig family in June of this year."
