I became a Trustee of ZSL in November 2018, having long wanted to find the time to get involved in conservation.

Whilst ZSL is best known for its zoos, which inspire nearly two million visitors every year to protect wildlife, it is also one of the UK's leading conservation and wildlife science organisations with a near 200-year history. ZSL works across many facets of conservation in multiple countries around the world, bringing endangered species back from the brink and creating a more sustainable world for people and wildlife.

I think many of us are appalled at the damage we are doing to the planet, and yet environmental causes make up just 6% of charitable giving in the UK, a statistic that frankly shocks me. So I had been thinking of raising money for ZSL’s conservation efforts over and above acting as a trustee. Aside from the walk I will pay all my own expenses, including platform fees made to Justgiving.

I wouldn't normally choose the middle of winter for a long walk. However, ZSL has been awarded a UK Aid Match grant from the UK government for the ‘For People, For Wildlife’ appeal, meaning that every donation is doubled. This was too good an opportunity to miss. The UK government will match funds raised from UK residents between now and 31 December; your donations have never gone further. Each pound I raise will support ZSL’s science, conservation and education work to protect wildlife in the UK and around the world. This then unlocks an equivalent amount of funding* specifically for ZSL's work with communities to prevent wildlife trafficking in Kenya and Nepal.  Some of you may also have seen this appeal being advertised in the Financial Times, with whom we are partnered for their 2019 seasonal appeal.

My 200km route will start on November 30th and is taking me from ZSL Whipsnade - not far from Luton - across the Chiltern Hills to the River Thames at Marlow. ZSL has been major conservation partner assisting in the astonishing clean-up of the Thames that has taken place over the past few decades. So it seemed fitting to then walk the Thames Path all the way to the estuary at the Thames Barrier. From there I will head back along Regent’s Canal towards ZSL London Zoo to arrive on Sunday December 8th.

The route: 

*subject only to a £2million maximum across the campaign