Sam Timmons
The Great North Run for Orangutan Appeal UK
Fundraising for Orangutan Appeal UK
Story
In 2017 I visited the island of Borneo, and while I was there I was incredibly fortunate to see Orangutans in the wild, high in the trees along the Kinabatangan river, dozing in their nests and quietly watching the boats whirr past down below, while the macaques leapt and clattered between the branches.
I also saw the huge palm oil plantations that have increasingly eroded the forests that the Orangutans call home, and continue to do so at a daily rate.
The Sepilok Orangutan rehabilitation centre in Sandakan do fantastic work rehabilitating young and orphaned orangutans when they are discovered alone and helpless in these plantations. The staff provide a 24/7 rescue service for any Orangutan that is found, and then work with them in a protected area of jungle which the Orangutans are free to leave as soon as they are ready. It is a wonderful facility that tourists can visit to see the young Orangutans learn how to climb, swing and forage. They also try to educate the local and visiting population of Borneo on the impact humans are having on the Orangutans natural environment, and what people can do to help.
All this work costs money, and Orangutan Appeal UK are the UK based charity that supports Sepilok and keeps them in fruit and fire hoses. It is a cause that Hannah and I care deeply about, and I am supporting them by running the 2018 Great North Run.
If you're unaware, the Great North Run is a half marathon that starts in Newcastle upon Tyne and finishes 13.1 miles later in South Shields. I have run a half marathon once before, when I was a much younger man, but this is a serious challenge for me, especially as I would like to complete the run in a respectable time.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
Thanking for reading this far, and for any support you can give to me, and to the Orangutans in Borneo.
I also saw the huge palm oil plantations that have increasingly eroded the forests that the Orangutans call home, and continue to do so at a daily rate.
The Sepilok Orangutan rehabilitation centre in Sandakan do fantastic work rehabilitating young and orphaned orangutans when they are discovered alone and helpless in these plantations. The staff provide a 24/7 rescue service for any Orangutan that is found, and then work with them in a protected area of jungle which the Orangutans are free to leave as soon as they are ready. It is a wonderful facility that tourists can visit to see the young Orangutans learn how to climb, swing and forage. They also try to educate the local and visiting population of Borneo on the impact humans are having on the Orangutans natural environment, and what people can do to help.
All this work costs money, and Orangutan Appeal UK are the UK based charity that supports Sepilok and keeps them in fruit and fire hoses. It is a cause that Hannah and I care deeply about, and I am supporting them by running the 2018 Great North Run.
If you're unaware, the Great North Run is a half marathon that starts in Newcastle upon Tyne and finishes 13.1 miles later in South Shields. I have run a half marathon once before, when I was a much younger man, but this is a serious challenge for me, especially as I would like to complete the run in a respectable time.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
Thanking for reading this far, and for any support you can give to me, and to the Orangutans in Borneo.