Atherstone five-year-old raises over £1300 for Twycross Zoo

Five-year-old Isla Billington from Atherstone has today (Wednesday, December 2) completed her final day of fundraising for Twycross Zoo.

Isla has been walking one mile every day during the second national lockdown to raise money for the The World Primate Centre. She started on Thursday, November 5 and took her final charitable steps today after covering a total distance of 28 miles.

Isla turned five on November 22 and was due to have her celebratory day out at the zoo, but this had to be cancelled due to the second national lockdown.

Isla's mother Shannon explained to Nub News at the beginning of November "We have passes to the zoo and go quite regularly. Isla asked if we could go to the Zoo again soon, I explained that because of the second lockdown we couldn't go to the zoo for a while.

"She was worried about who would look after the animals, I said there would still be keepers, but that the zoo might need help because they are a charity.

"Isla then asked if she could give the zoo money. I said that we could maybe do something to raise money for animals. That's when the suggestion of a walk came about."

As well as Shannon, Isla has been regularly joined by her little brother Kyan (2) and her daddy, James. 

Isla's charitable escapades have really captured the heart of the local community over the past four weeks. After a week her Total Giving page had receive £334. Now, three weeks on, she has tipped over the £1300 mark.

Shannon said "I really appreciate all the support given to us by family, friends and members of the community.

"Every time I tell Isla we've had another donation she gets really excited."

To mark the final day of this achievement, Isla has finally had her trip to Twycross Zoo today, completing the 28th mile within the grounds of the local attraction.

Most people would consider walking a mile every day for four weeks a bit of a struggle, even more so for a five year old, but motivation has not been a problem for her.

"Isla has really enjoyed the walks, although some days after a busy day at school she says she is tired. Also we've had a few walks in torrential rain, but she thought that was fun!"

The award-winning conservation charity Twycross Zoo has made no secret of the financial pressure and struggles it has faced during the two lockdowns, with over £3.5million lost in revenue.

Katie Herranz-Sanchez, Duty Manager of Twycross Zoo said "On behalf of everyone here at Twycross Zoo, I would like to say thank you to Isla for her amazing efforts, the money she has raised will go towards helping us to care for our 500 animals and our conservation mission.

"We appreciate all of our supporters, including Isla, and it's been truly heart-warming to see our local communities come together and help us through this challenging year. Every donation, membership, ticket and animal adoption all makes a difference to our conservation charity."

Twycross Zoo has been given the green light to reopen for visitors from today (December 2) with Tier Three Covid-19 secure measures in place. Even more, Twycross Zoo's Christmas Spectacular is continuing to take place on selected dates from Saturday, December 5 to Thursday 24 December.

To ensure Twycross Zoo visitors make the most of its Covid-19 secure day, the Midlands zoo has set out safety measures.

This include reopening with restricted visitor numbers of just 30% of its normal zoo capacity and carefully considering any increase of this, only allowing bookings to be made online in advance, enforcing the 'Rule of 6', restricting indoor eateries for takeaway options only, closing selected indoor animal house and indoor soft play until further notice, providing ample hand sanitising stations, and working with visitors to ensure social distancing is upheld.

For full measures and FAQs visit the zoo's website.

If you would like to make a donation to Isla's page, then please follow this link.