Big-hearted youngsters in Nantwich are putting their best feet forward to raise funds for threatened Chester Zoo.
Many pupils who love to visit the nearby attraction were moved by its plight and fears over its future due to lockdown.
This week the Government announced zoos can now open again from June 15, but they will still have many restrictions in place.
Pear Tree Primary pupil Aimee Lindop is staging a sponsored run and is keen to attract sponsors.
The nine-year-old Stapeley girl (pictured) said she wants to carry on fundraising as she loves the zoo.
She is running one mile every day for 24 days – because it’s 24 miles from her house to Chester Zoo!
Aimee said: “I want to help the zoo to be able to stay open because it is an amazing charity and lots of people visit it and they do a lot of great things for conservation and stop animals around the world from going extinct.
“I have been going to Chester Zoo since I was little and my favourite animals are the red pandas, the elephant shrews and the ants.
“I would be really sad if they run out of money and it wouldn’t be fair on the animals because they wouldn’t have anywhere to live.”
Mum Kate said: “As the Zoo can’t open fully or to the usual number of people, she still wants to raise money for them. We’re really glad it’s reopening!”
You can sponsor Aimee on her justgiving page here.
Meanwhile, Gemma Dudley’s two children Eva, nine, and Franklin, seven, are staging a sponsored walk in aid of the zoo.
Nantwich mum Gemma said: “We were in the car when the children heard a radio interview about Chester Zoo being in financial trouble.
“Eva and Franklin both love the zoo, we hold annual family passes and visit as often as we can.
“They were devastated at the thought of never being able to return, so decided they had to do something.
“They decided to walk around Nantwich lake five times a day until the end of June to raise £500 to hopefully help the zoo as much as they can.”
Gemma says they will continue with their fundraising effort as it still needs financial support through the pandemic.
“The kids were over the moon when they heard the news it could reopen.
“But they both said they will continue to support the zoo with their efforts as they know they’re still going to need all the help they can get.”
You can donate at their justgiving page here
Wow, well done Aimee! What a brilliant to be doing. Good luck and I hope you can enjoy visiting Chester zoo again very soon!