Great to see you again, thanks for the cash you’ve raised!

DEDICATED YOUNGSTERS RAISE HUNDREDS OF POUNDS FOR ZOO

YOUNGSTERS have been getting active to protect the future of their favourite zoo.

Twycross has reopened after twoand-a-half months, but managers said they would still need government help to get them through the crisis.

A fund-raising campaign was set up to help the centre meet its £650,000 monthly running costs.

Hayden Hoare, seven, from Hinckley, rose to the challenge.

He has been cycling a mile a day around the town in aid of the animal centre, raising more than £800.

He hopes to keep up the challenge until his birthday on July 17, going out each day dressed as an animal.

His colourful costumes so far have included a crocodile, a tiger, a bat and a mouse.

Mum Becky set up a fund-raising page for him on Facebook.

She said: “My beautiful and caring son Hayden has been extremely upset about the news of the lack of support for the zoos, especially our local one.

“He is concerned about their ongoing conservation and does not want more species of animals to become extinct, and our zoos do such vital work in this area.

“He therefore asked if he could do something to make a difference.”

Becky said the activity has been a great boost for Hayden during lockdown, especially as he recently lost two of his great-grandparents.

Another athletic youngster helping raise money for the zoo is Owen Mercieca, six, from Lutterworth.

He and his family are members at the zoo and they missed their regular visits to see the animals.

Owen was inspired by his mum cycling 2,280 miles on her spin bike in the back garden to take on a fitness challenge himself.

He chose to run the Inca Trail Virtual Marathon, a 26.2-mile journey through Peru and Machu Picchu.

Owen said: “The Incas made mummies and pyramids like the Egyptians.

“It’s very hilly on the map.

“I’m raising money – they need our help.”

He went out running with his mum to complete sections of the trail, raising more than £900 for the zoo.

The pair were interviewed by the BBC, with a live link to the chimpanzees at the zoo, so Owen could tell them what he had been up to.

He completed the final leg of the marathon on his first visit back to the animal centre.

Owen said he was delighted to hear the news that the zoo had reopened and he was very excited to be seeing the chimpanzees again as well as his favourite animal, Nandi the rhino.

GENEROUS: Owen Mercieca back at the zoo to see the chimps and his favourite, Nandi the rhino. Below left, Hayden Hoare in one of his animal costumes for cycling in