Lulu Sloane
Lulu's cycle ride from Vancouver to Mexico!
Fundraising for Zoological Society Of London
Story
Hi all,
Thank you for taking the time to donate to my page.
At the beginning of the year I decided that I wanted to raise some money for a cause very close to my heart. To raise the money I decided to go on a bike ride, riding solo from Vancouver to Mexico to be exact! The route that I have decided to take will be an estimated 2500 miles and take me just over 2 months. All of your lovely donations will make each day worth it.
I am cycling in aid of the Zoological Society of London's (ZSL) Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) campaign. ZSL is an international conservation charity that has been working for almost two centuries to fulfil their vision of a world where wildlife thrives and is an organisation that I have been personally involved with for a while now.
We’re currently facing a global poaching crisis and IWT, the worlds fourth most profitable illegal trade, is responsible for pushing our much loved and endangered species closer extinction. It is the reason for the catastrophic decline in elephants for their ivory, tigers for their skin and bones, rhino for their horn and pangolins, the most heavily trafficked wild mammal on the planet, for their meat and scales. ZSL is working closely with governments around the world to address IWT. Implementing projects globally, working with national governments and local communities, to protect wildlife, support law enforcement that targets trafficking networks, empowers local communities affected by IWT and reduced demand for threatened wildlife.
The conservation of endangered species is so important and close to my heart so I'm very proud and excited, albeit nervous, to do my part in helping to raise funds for such an important charity and cause.
UPDATE: I'm thrilled to finally be able to share with you some exciting news that I've been keeping secret for a while now. ZSL's new IWT campaign, For People, For Wildlife, launches today and through a transformational partnership with the UK government, any money donated to my cycle challenge from now until the end of December, will be match funded, up to £2million.
For People, For Wildlife
In the borderlands of Nepal’s national parks, people live side-by-side with wildlife. Both rely on nature’s resources to survive. Faced with devastating poverty and with their livelihoods threatened, many people resort to wildlife crime to support their families. In other parts of the world, like Kenya, the pressures of poverty make communities vulnerable to exploitation by the international illegal wildlife trade consortiums who control a $20 billion a year criminal industry.
Working closely with communities in Nepal and in Kenya, ZSL helps people to develop sustainable livelihoods, from dairy cooperatives to beauty salons. With the health and happiness of their families safeguarded, communities can mobilise to become guardians of their own wildlife, working with ZSL to protect habitats critical to the survival of black rhino, elephants, pangolins and tigers.
In addition to this, as part of this transformational partnership with the UK Government, every pound ZSL raises from October until the end of December, up to £2 million, will be match funded.
I know so many people have supported me already, but if you are in a position to donate in light of this fantastic opportunity to double the impact of your donation, please, please do.
To find out more about ZSL's For People, For Wildlife campaign, go to:
Huge thanks in advance,
Lulu xx