With the help of some familiar faces, some amazing animals and some musical and comedy acts we put together a live fundraiser with something for everyone. We aimed to get your feet tapping and bring smiles to your faces, as we told you more about how Colchester Zoo has weathered the pandemic and, ultimately and most importantly, we raised some much needed funds to help towards the zoos future!
There is still plenty of time to watch the programme via the zoo’s YouTube channel and donate:
Like all other UK zoos, Colchester Zoo is currently closed for a second extended period this year. Colchester Zoo is set in over 60 acres, cares for over 200 species and needs about £20,000 per day (that’s over half a million pounds a month) to keep operating. With most of this income coming from ticket sales and visitor spending, the closure represents a very real threat. The zoo has done its utmost to cut costs wherever possible, and many difficult decisions have been made, but without visitors, these savings are being swallowed by the day-to-day running costs of the zoo. Most of the zoo’s overseas conservation support (via its charity Action for the Wild) has had to cease while the zoo’s future lies in the balance.
Keen to help in any way, Deadline Communications teamed up with the zoo to host this 2-hour online event combining chat, music, comedy, fascinating facts, magic, and of course plenty of animal news. The Deadline team, along with all the presenters, music and variety acts are providing their creativity completely free of charge, so that all money raised goes directly to the zoo to help care for their animals. A GoFundMe page has been set up so you can watch and donate! Click here to donate.
What the zoo said: “When Deadline Communications reached out to us here at Colchester Zoo to offer help in raising awareness and funds for Colchester Zoo we were overwhelmed with the proposal to produce an online programme which involved a number of special guests! We hope that this programme will bring smiles to people’s faces! We would like to thank everyone involved in producing the programme, everyone who has donated their time and talent to help Colchester Zoo to which we are truly grateful!”