Little tigers in animal rescue
BOYS, FOUR AND FIVE, FUNDRAISING FOR CHESTER ZOO CAMPAIGN
TWO little boys have been so moved by the plight of Chester Zoo that they’ve taken matters into their own hands.
Last week, zoo bosses put out a plea to the public to support its fundraising campaign amid spiralling debts because of the coronavirus pandemic. With more than 35,000 animals to take care of, bosses say the lack of admissions has left them ‘fighting’ for their future and facing debts of £24m by the end of the year.
Thanks to the plea, in a matter of days the zoo raised more than £2m, with support from more than 100,000 people.
The zoo has also been boosted with the news it can reopen from June 15.
Now youngsters Ollie Mitchell and Freddie Chatterton are doing their bit to help the zoo.
Four-year-old Ollie lives 25 miles from the zoo, in Altrincham. He’s spending 10 days walking that distance in stages – and dressing as a different animal each day.
Meanwhile, five-year-old Freddie, from Ashton, is drawing pictures of animals and selling them to boost the funds at Chester Zoo, Knowsley Safari and others that were forced to close.
Ollie’s mum Abby, younger son Oscar is seven months old, said: “As a family, we’ve been members of Chester Zoo for several years and we were heartbroken when we heard the news that it may have to close permanently.
“I spoke to Ollie about this and he said he wanted to walk to the zoo and give some money for the animals.”
Ollie, who’s been doing most of the walks with Abby and one with his dad Phil, smashed his £50 target, raising more than £2,000 in less than 48 hours.
Abby said: “We’ve now raised over £5,000 and are the zoo’s top fundraisers on JustGiving. We can’t believe it. People have been whose cheering for him and beeping at him to keep him going.” Meanwhile Freddie, who attends Silver Springs Primary Academy, has so far raised £180 in donations for his drawings, which have included a penguin, a giraffe, a whale and more. Mum Zoe said: “Freddie really wants to raise money to help Chester Zoo and any other zoos that are struggling during the pandemic. He came up with the idea of drawing animals and selling them to help raise money for the animals he adores so much.
“He’s doing it for Chester, Knowsley and other charity zoos that need help, as he is animal crazy and his idol is Sir David Attenborough. He even dressed as him for Halloween.”
To support Ollie’s walking fundraiser visit his JustGiving page. To request a drawing, or donate to Freddie’s Zoo Fund, see his Facebook page.
He is animal crazy and his idol is Sir David Attenborough. He even dressed as him for Halloween Freddie’s mum