Greater Manchester's first ever Enormous Elephant Run is being held in Heaton Park next Saturday to raise funds for The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) which helps to protect elephants.
Last year the DSWT in partnership with the Kenyan Wildlife Service, treated over 540 injured elephants, many hit with spears, shot or with poisoned arrows. To date, the charity's Orphans' Project, made famous by the BBC Series Elephant Diaries, has rescued over 180 orphans including Mbegu (see photo).
"Today, Africa's elephants need our help more than ever before" says Rob Brandford, UK Director of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust "Across Africa, one elephant is killed every fifteen minutes for their tusks to fuel an increasing demand for ivory.
"The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust relies completely on donations and fundraising to protect wildlife and habitats in Kenya" he adds "The Enormous Elephant Run is our chance to make a difference for elephants and protect them for future generations. Our event on Clapham Common attracted 300 runners, and we want Heaton Park to be just as big a success."
The Enormous Elephant Run is a charity fun run with a difference; all participants dress as elephants and run, jog, skip and walk either 5k or 10k to raise vital funds and awareness for Africa's elephants.
"Poaching, at its current rate, could see elephants disappear from the wild by 2025 - that's within our lifetime" explains Amie Alden, Fundraising and Communications Officer at DSWT "With the support of local residents, we can do more to protect elephants. The Enormous Elephant Run promises all the fun and camaraderie of a running event and we're calling on the wildlife lovers of Greater Manchester to join us in Heaton Park and protect Africa's elephants."
The Enormous Elephant Run takes next Saturday, July 25th 10:30am at Heaton Park in Prestwich and Salford people can find out more information and sign up to run click here
Registration costs £32 for adults (which includes elephant suit), and £18 for children (which includes elephant suit)
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a registered charity in the UK and Kenya. To find out more about their projects see www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
People can also support The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is by fostering an elephant at www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
• All photos courtesy of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
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