Trust calls for 100 acts of support for Wiltshire’s Wildlife

WILTSHIRE Wildlife Trust is joining a national fundraising initiative honouring Captain Sir Tom Moore’s birthday.

The Captain Tom 100 fundraising event invites people from all over Wiltshire to take on a challenge, based around the number 100, to raise funds for charity or to donate directly.

The organisers report, “The weekend of Friday 30th April to Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May – Captain Sir Tom Moore’s birthday – is also the anniversary of the Trust’s sadly-missed Sarsen Trail, a much-loved Wiltshire event where wildlife supporters challenged themselves physically and raised money for vital conservation work.

“The past twelve months has seen the Trust, as with many other charities, struggle due to the effects of the pandemic; this has not only hit their volunteering base – critical for delivering conservation work across the county – but also their financial base, as creating a replacement fundraising event during the pandemic has not been possible.

“The Captain Tom 100 event offers Wiltshire Wildlife Trust supporters of all ages and abilities the opportunity to raise crucial funds for the charity, while at the same time celebrating Captain Tom’s generosity of spirit, the hope and joy he brought to millions, and his sense of fun.

 How it works

“All participants need to do is dream up a Captain Tom 100 challenge based around the number 100, and to do it at anytime and anywhere over Captain Tom’s birthday weekend – starting on Friday 30th April through to Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May.

“The Sarsen Trail was a cross country marathon, including a half marathon that people could walk, run or cycle. The Trust would love to see people walking, running or cycling local routes, taking in the wonderful landscape responsibly. Alternatively they could litter pick, bird watch, or take part in sponsored butterfly/ beetle/wildflower counts.

“Once supporters have chosen their challenge, they can fundraise or donate to the Trust by setting up a fundraising page with: • Virgin Money: http://bit.ly/ WiltsWildCT100JG •Justgiving: http://bit.ly/Wilts WildCT100VMG

“Then either register their challenge or donate directly to the Trust. For support in undertaking their challenge, participants can contact Debbie Bentley on debbieb@wiltshirewildlife.org or find out more at www.wiltshirewildlife.org/captain-tom-100-challenge

“People already raising funds for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust at this time include:

 • Joanna – a local nature lover who, with 2 hip replacements, is nonetheless doing 100 laps of Conigre Mead nature reserve over 20 days. She has raised over her £100 target already! https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joanna-harries

• Brendan – a member of the team from the Wiltshire Wildlife Willows Care Farm in Broughton Gifford (see full story on page 2), who has already planned to play his part in June by cycling 87 miles along the Ridgeway with close friend James.

“The Trust hopes people will be inspired by Captain Tom, and others closer to home, to do something to help wildlife this year; together we can protect the environment and tackle the causes of nature’s decline before it’s too late.