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

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

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

The weekend of Friday, 30 April to Bank Holiday Monday, 3 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.

This last year has seen the trust, as with many other charities, struggle due to the effects of the pandemic, with serious effects on both volunteering and finance.

A spokesperson said: "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.

"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, 30 April through to Bank Holiday Monday, 3 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, birdwatch, or take part in sponsored butterfly/beetle/wildflower counts."

Once supporters have chosen their challenge, they can raise funds or donate to the Trust by setting up a fundraising page with Virgin Money at http://bit.ly/WiltsWildCT100JG or Justgiving at http://bit.ly/WiltsWildCT100VMG

They can then either register their challenge or donate directly to the Trust. 

For support in undertaking their challenge, participants can contact Debbie Bentley on [email protected] 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 two hip replacements who is , is doing 100 laps of Conigre Mead nature reserve over 20 days. She has raised over her £100 target already and details can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joanna-harries

- Brendan - a member of the team from the Wiltshire Wildlife Willows Care Farm, 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.