Four-year-old from Atherstone to walk 28 miles to raise money for Twycross Zoo

Four-year-old Isla Billington from Atherstone is now just over a week into her fundraising for Twycross Zoo.

Isla is walking one mile every day during the second national lockdown period to raise money for the The World Primate Centre. She started last week (Thursday, November 5) and will do her final walk on December 2, a total of 28 miles, far enough for anybody, let alone a four-year-old.

Isla is going to turn five at the end of November and was due to have her birthday day out at the zoo, but this had to be cancelled due to the new restrictions.

Isla's mother Shannon explained to Nub News "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."

Now just a week in, Isla has already raised a considerable amount of money for Twycross, with £334 already given to her Total Giving page, and more donations coming in each day.

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

"People are very encouraging," says Shannon, "they are amazed at her wanting to help at such a young age. Her whole family is very proud of her!

"The walks are going very well. Every morning Isla asks when she will be going on her walk. In her own words the walks are going well and she likes jumping in the muddy puddles while out. But they are making her very tired!"

The award-winning conservation charity, Twycross Zoo, has made no secret of the financial pressure and struggles it faced during the spring lockdown when it lost out on a significant proportion of its annual visitors and income, leaving a £3.5million dent in its finances.

Twycross Zoo protects and cares for over 500 animals everyday and contributes to vital conservation, research and education which must continue even without the vital income provided from visitors.

Neil Dorman, Curator at Twycross Zoo, said: "we – me, the team and all the animals at Twycross Zoo want to thank Isla for her support. Walking a mile a day throughout the whole of lockdown is no easy feat for a four year old.

"We really appreciate Isla's efforts and hope everybody sponsors her as she helps us to look after these amazing animals.