A yellow eyed penguin. Image courtesy of Biological Diversity
Andrew Simcock is within touching distance of reaching his fundraising goal from his RSPB Eastern 400 cycle ride. With one week to go before the Justgiving site closes he provides this update:
"I'd like to thank the 154 supporters who have made donations so far ranging from £5 to £500. It was that tremendous backing that kept me going when the riding conditions were less than ideal. The fundraising page will remain open until the end of August so it's not too late to make a donation."
Andrew approaches the Royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Picture credit: Sam Turley, RSPB
Half the money Andrew raises will go towards vital conservation efforts at the eight RSPB reserves he is visiting on the ride. The other half will go towards funding a permanent statue to the female founder of the UK’s largest nature conservation charity.
There were many highlights along the way.
Smitten Bitterns at Minsmere!
Bitterns mating Photo credit: Les Cater
Enthusiastic visitors!
Visitors at Strumpshaw Fen from Holy Trinity Church, Norwich
Back row, left to right: Caroline Verdon-Smith, Jenni Scott, Deepthi Ganeson and Hannah Gray
Front row, left to right: Megan and Bethany Verdon-Smith, Naomi Scott, Clara Gray, Diya Ganeson and Henry Scott
To donate to the fundraising campaign please visit Andrew's fundraising page.
Andrew on a training run in Bollington, Cheshire
The Emily Williamson statue will be placed in Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury, Manchester, where Emily lived when she founded the RSPB in 1889.
Cycling 400 miles and visiting eight RSPB nature reserves across six counties Andrew is aiming to raise £5,000.
Andrew’s RSPB Eastern 400 ride took him to eight RSPB reserves in the six counties of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Lincolnshire, beginning 23 July and finishing Wednesday 2 August, He is aiming to raise £5,000 towards the fundraising goal of £100,000 and half of the funds raised with be shared among the RSPB reserves he is visiting.
Eve Shepherd with her winning design
In December 2020 a competition was launched by author and journalist Tessa Boase and Andrew, in partnership with the RSPB, to design a statue of Emily Williamson (1855-1936). The four shortlisted designs were unveiled on the centenary of The Plumage Act (1 July 2021), the RSPB’s first legislation triumph and the result of Emily’s long campaign.
Brighton based sculptor Eve Shepherd’s winning design was then made available as 20 limited edition 40 cm high bronze maquettes which are also for sale as part of the fundraising efforts for the life-sized sculpture of Emily.
To find out more please go to www.emilywilliamsonstatue.com