Very few things are quite so honestly innocent for a family day out as the privately owned Monkton Nature reserve. Hidden in plain sight as you drive to Canterbury it features a study centre, various habitats, such as chalk grassland, woodland and aquatic. There's a multitude of wildlife and wild flowers, birds of prey, migrating birds, newts, eight varieties of orchid and lots more. The best of the lot though is that it's right on our doorstep. Your children have probably been on a trip there with the school, you've probably been there yourself. If you have, you will know what a lovely little place it is, and how important it is to the local community.

Unfortunately, last week, some public spirited individuals decided that it would be their right to burgle the reserve and steal their half-term takings from the safe. I don't know how much was taken, and to be fair that isn't really important.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/thanet/news/burglary-at-nature-reserve-121236/

What is important is that they get back some of what was taken from them, and, as an independently run reserve, they need to know that we, as a community care about them and their survival.

I would like to raise at least £300 for the folks at the nature reserve so I would be so grateful if you could give whatever you can.

Thanks :)