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Durrell is giving away £10,000 worth of zoo tickets and memberships to local charities to allow the individuals they support to “enjoy the wellbeing and environmental benefits of connecting to nature."
The initiative is part of Durrell’s ‘Access to Nature Fund’, which was launched to help the charity reach its mission of connecting one million people to nature by 2025.
It was funded and developed with the Association of Jersey Charities (AJC) to promote equal opportunities and enable local charities to nominate people who would most benefit from tickets or memberships to Jersey Zoo, allowing them to enjoy “the wellbeing and environmental benefits of connecting to nature”.
“It will enable many people who may never have visited Jersey Zoo to experience the incredible animals, connect to the wonders of the natural world, and learn about Durrell’s work saving some of the rarest species on Earth," Beth Gallichan, Durrell’s Fundraising Manager, said.
“Our aim is to improve wellbeing and ensure those who get the most reward out of visiting regularly can enjoy the benefits of a Durrell membership, including unlimited visits to the zoo and the bi-annual ‘Wild Life’ magazine. Charities can also apply for tickets to distribute to those who may not have the finances to enjoy a day at the zoo.”
Kevin Keen, Chairman of the AJC, which marks its 50th anniversary this year and provided a grant of £19,985, added: “This is a really innovative and inclusive initiative, which we are delighted to support by drawing on the proceeds raised through our 2020 Booster Appeal.
“By covering the costs of entry for individuals nominated by the charities that support them, we anticipate that the Access to Nature scheme will open up the resources of Jersey Zoo to new audiences and have a truly community-wide impact.”
Some of the families from Brighter Futures, a local charity which supports child development as well as family health and wellbeing, visited the zoo for the first time earlier this year, with the parents sharing the joy of visiting the zoo afterwards.
“I was so proud to see the delight on my children’s faces,” one said. “We took a picnic and stayed at the zoo all day. When it was closing time, my children did not want to leave and asked when we could come back again.”
“This was a dream come true for me and my children,” another added. “I have been on the island for 18 years and had never been to the zoo. I am a busy mum of four children, and I find difficult to take them to places as I don’t drive and it’s expensive to go to any attraction in Jersey.”
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