The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Pensioner Mick walks miles to help with zoos
Remarkable Peterborough great grandad completes long distance challenge
An 85-year-old great grandad walked through Peterborough on one of the hottest days of the year to help save zoos which are at risk of closure due to the coronavirus.
Michael Russell battled the heatalongsidetowalkthrough several of the city’s townships in support of LondonZooand Whipsnade Zoo.
Beginning in Cathedral Square, he walked 21 miles alongside son Graham and two nurses from the neurology department at Peterborough City Hospital – Heather Reid and Tina Homewood – which saw them bucket collecting during the day.
OntopofaJustGivingpage the walkers have raised more than£500sofar, half their target.
Michael was determined to fundraise for the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), which owns the two zoos, after seeing an appeal made by Sir David Attenborough.
Thelegendarydocumentary maker said: “Without your help we could see the closure of the world’s oldest scientific zoo. A place where genera
tions of people have forged a love of wildlife through their joyful encounters with animals.”
Describing how he found thewalk, Michael, wholivesin Bardney, OrtonGoldhay, said: “It wasenjoyable– wegotafair bit of supportfromthepublic. Wewerewearingspecial vests with a ‘Save the Zoos’ logo and we received some donations going round.
“My grandparents used to
take me to zoos and I loved the animals. The zoos are now doing the re-breeding and charities are doing rescues for animals which have been abused and abandoned.
“David Attenborough put out an appeal and we’re walking to save zoos in general. They’ve lost an awful lot of income and need to get funding back as quick as possible.”
All zoos were forced to temporarily close in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Although they could reopen from June, numbers were restricted due to social distancing. The ZSL is a conservation charity which is nearly 200 years old.
London Zoo is the oldest scientific zoo in the world, openingitsfirstanimalexhibit in 1849, while Whipsnade Zoo is the largest zoo in the UK with 3,600 animals.
Michael said: “So many members of the public, both young and old, have and will enjoy visits to these institutions that give so much pleasure.
“These zoos desperately need support, especially with the numerous breeding programmesthattheyencourage to try andsave manyoftheendangered species.”
He added: “I would like to thankourtwonursesfortheir heroic efforts and to all those kind folk who have donated.”
Donations can be made at: https://www.justgiving. com/fundraising/michaelrussell15.