Girlguiding Bedfordshire has launched a wild new Challenge in support of local charity, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo – with Girlguiding members completing fun animal-inspired tasks at home while raising funds for the closed zoo.
Shut for the third time in a year as part of the nationwide lockdown, the global conservation charity behind ZSL Whipsnade Zoo has been calling on the public for support as it is usually reliant on ticket sales to fund its vital work.
With activities including making a butterfly corner or bird feeder to creating a whole wildlife garden at home, creating a hedgehog house, and renewing your plastic promise by making an animal sculpture from recycled items. Rainbows, Brownies and Guides will earn a new badge inspired by ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
To launch this new partnership, Girlguiding Bedfordshire ran a competition which was open to all its members to create a new and very special badge; the competition was won by then six-year-old Rainbow, Isla Jordan, who attends Wilden Rainbows.
Isla said: “I watched a programme and read a story about tigers, I like tigers because they are stripy. He is wearing an explorer’s hat and binoculars to help him look & find out about things.” Isla added, “It looks very nice now it is a real badge, the colours make my tiger look as though he is having fun at the Zoo.”
On completion of the challenge, the badge will be awarded to all those girls who take part. A percentage of the badge proceeds are being donated directly to the Zoo to help them look after their animals, many of which are Endangered or Extinct-in-the-wild.
Karen Keeling Girlguiding Bedfordshire County Commissioner said, ‘ We were delighted to work with Whipsnade Zoo on this project and, after many months of discussion, it is marvellous that the partnership has finally come together’. Karen added, ‘It is a unique opportunity for our members to explore the Zoo from the comfort of their own homes’.
Cathriona Hickey, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Engagement Manager said; “This has been one of the most challenging year’s in ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s 90-year history – and we are so grateful to Girlguiding Bedfordshire for their support. The activities they have to complete as part of this wild new challenge is the perfect way to keep busy at home while learning all about the wonders of the animal kingdom – and we hope they’ll all pay us a visit as soon as we’re open again!”
