CO-OP STAFF REMIND LOCALS OF WHAT THE WORLD-FAMOUS ANIMAL SANCTUARY 'MEANS TO THE COMMUNITY'

ONGOING FEARS FOR CONSERVATION SOCIETY WHICH HAS BEEN ON THE TOWN'S DOORSTEP FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY

FRONTLINE retail heroes in Atherstone are calling on townsfolk to "show their appreciation" and help pull struggling Twycross Zoo from the edge of the financial precipice. Staff at the Central Co-op have stepped out of their comfort zone to raise more than £1,000 in the fight to remove an "endangered species" label from around the neck of the world famous wildlife sanctuary on the town's doorstep. They want locals to remember what the zoo "means to the community" with an association which stretches back more than half a century to its opening in 1963. Six weeks on from reopening its gates, Twycross Zoo is still reeling from the exponential threat of the Covid-19 pandemic. Without access to the Government's £100million fighting fund, it is far from certain to make it through the upcoming winter period. Station Street store customer service assistant Chris Crouch, who assisted in organising a fundraising walk for the zoo, said the conservation society was vitally important to the local community around Atherstone and it was "concerning to hear its future and that of the animals could be under threat". She said: "It is local to us and has been going over 50 years, so it means a lot to the community around here and although it is now open again it is still in a very precarious position. A 10-strong team of Co-op colleagues, who have been working around the clock to keep the local community stocked with food and essentials, walked the 16-mile round trip from the Station Street supermarket to the popular zoo to support its 'Summer of Survival' fundraising campaign. Their efforts raised £1,100. Ms Crouch said the zoo is a cause "close to her heart", adding: "I am a member and we have a former colleague who now works there, so we really wanted to do something to help. "I thought of the idea to walk to the zoo to raise money and put up a poster at work to see if anyone wanted to take part and was overwhelmed that so many colleagues signed up. "I was only expecting to raise £200-£300, so to have raised well over £1,000 is great. I have been really, really touched by the support from colleagues and family." The campaign, which has received backing from Dame Judi Dench, has been launched after the popular attraction had to close its gates to the public for three months and although now open, is not running at anywhere near its full capacity. The legendary James Bond actress has added her considerable voice in support of conservation to the plight of Atherstone's wildlife sanctuary – acknowledging the zoo remains an endangered species. Dame Judi said: "Twycross Zoo may soon close its gates for the last time, putting many of its animals at risk. "We simply cannot let this happen! "For almost 60 years the zoo has meant so much for so many in so many different ways." During lockdown, with nearly two-thirds of the staff furloughed and monthly running costs of more than half a million pounds, it pleaded with the Tory administration for grants to support large zoos after a change in the law saw it added to a list ordered to stay closed 'indefinitely'. Even with an appeal campaign, launched in April, which has raised more than £300,000 to date – CEO Sharon Redrobe said the zoo would run out of reserves at the end of June. Recent visitors to the zoo will certainly have noticed it has clearly fallen on incredibly hard times judging by the overgrown nature of the enclosures – some boarded up and appearing careworn. To help the zoo's plight, you can donate here.