Both animal enthusiasts, the sisters are frequent visitors at the zoo as their mum, Alexandra, works there.
Pictured: Margot and Darcey visit the zoo frequently.
They visit so often that they each have their favourite animals at the zoo – silvery marmosets for Margot and bears, golden lion tamarins and giant jumping rats for Darcey.
Worried about the zoo shutting down – the charity issued an appeal for donations last month after the pandemic slashed its income by 80% – Margot and Darcey decided to try and raise some money for Durrell.
To do so, the sisters put their creativity and their love for animals to good use, offering to write a limerick, dance or draw a picture for donors.
Video: Margot and Darcey recite some of their limericks.
“We thought our idea was something a bit different to the usual sponsored runs or bike rides,” the sisters said.
“Also, when people sponsor us they get to choose their favourite animal.”
While Margot and Darcey initially hoped to raise £250, they have now raised nearly four times that amount.
“Thank you so much everyone for all your amazing donations,” they wrote on their fundraising page. “Every donation makes us so happy!”
Pictured: One of the pictures drawn by Margot.
Not only have the girls enjoyed seeing the donations mount, but they have also taken pleasure in working on their ‘commissions’.
“I like the limerick I did about a bat called Clive!” Darcey said.
“I liked drawing the bee,” Margot added.
Pictured: Margot and Darcey have now raised over £900.
While the sisters are now back at school, they have pledged to continue working on more limericks, drawings and dances.
“Sorry we haven’t responded to all the limerick and drawing requests yet,” they wrote. “We promise we will! It’s been a busy week with back to school.”