TOGETHER WE STRIVE, SO WILDLIFE CAN SURVIVE

Looking for your next challenge?

How about choosing WVI as your nominated charity and not only achieve your physical goals but fundraising goals for the charity that matters most to you. Most of us look to push beyond our comfort zones and take on a new challenge whether it is for the New Year or when we reach a certain milestone and want to get fitter.

There are more outdoor adventures available than ever before, from marathons, triathlons, trans-continental cycle races, long-distance swims, cold water swimming to climbing mountains, trekking jungles or tackling obstacle courses submerged in mud. Or maybe a gentler sponsored walk is more appealing to you. Can you go the distance for WVI?

Whatever you decide, unleash your inner tiger and try something new and raise vital funds for WVI, so together we can help wildlife thrive and survive.

Let us know and we will support you along the way. Become one of our Wildlife Warriors and take part in our fun challenges, to earn a virtual Wildlife Warrior pin badge that you can wear with pride. If you have secured a charity place in a race and pledge to raise a minimum of £250 for WVI we will provide you with a WVI t-shirt, running top or cycling top. Join our Wildlife Warrior Facebook Group where you can share your challenges and get lots of support and motivational posts for your fellow warriors.

WALKING FOR WILDLIFE

Are you planning any walks this year? Consider fundraising for us. You can count on us to keep you motivated with every step through our Wildlife Warriors Facebook Group.

The WVI team took part in the Chiltern 50 Ultra Challenge on Saturday 23^rd September along with 13 wildlife warriors completing 25k and 50k distances in one day. It was a huge success with fundraising targets being exceeded and most importantly everyone completed the challenge and really enjoyed the event. This was the 1st year that WVI registered as a charity with the Ultra Challenge Series, so we could access epic fundraising challenges. We were thrilled by the commitment and enthusiasm of the supporters that joined us for the Chiltern 50. It was very well organised and the rest stops were well equipped with support teams and resources. It is easy to get involved in these events, as it takes away the effort of having to organise anything and you still get the team building and the camaraderie of doing an event like this together. The organising even goes as far as providing transfer from train stations, food, water and toilet stops all the way round and a BBQ at the end and there are opportunities to camp in Henley. Together we explored some of England’s finest countryside, with historic trails, rolling hills, nature reserves and fantastic views – right on London’s doorstep!  

For more information head to the Ultra Challenge Series organiser’s website for lots more events. Will you take up a challenge in 2024?

The Wildlife Warriors Facebook Group will be a hub for training information, support and motivation. All you need to do is sign up, train and turn up. If the Chilterns don’t appeal, there are many other challenges on the Ultra Challenge website and please get in touch so we can set you up as a WVI team.

Our challenges have grown from February 2021, when we set up our 1^st virtual physical challenge. We set up a new Facebook group, wildlife warriors to support everyone signing up to a virtual fitness challenge during lockdown.  Warriors set their own challenge to run, walk, cycle or swim 25, 50 or 100 miles/km during February. It was a huge success and we had a lot of fun as well as raising an incredible amount for WVI. Lots of posts of their progress was shared on our Wildlife Warriors Facebook Group.

‍At a time when the world continued to be in a surreal place, getting out into nature gave everyone who participated a new leash of life. We will continue with a February virtual challenge each year and build our Wildlife Warriors Army.

BE INSPIRED BY OUR WILDLIFE WARRIORS AND THEIR EPIC CHALLENGES

Dr Debra Bourne, a valued long-term supporter of WVI completed an amazing 4 x 100 miles Centurion Ultra Marathon races in 2020 and 2021. Massive well done, especially given the tough running conditions. We are all in awe of Debra.

EVER THOUGHT ABOUT A TRIATHLON OR IRON-MAN?

Our amazing wildlife vet Karen Archer, completed her 1st ironman distance triathlon on 20th June 2021. She raised an incredible £730 on her JustGiving page in memory of Dr John Lewis. An incredible achievement

CALLING ALL CYCLISTS!

Fancy cycling 55 miles through some of the most spectacular scenery in the South West? Why not do the London-Brighton Cycle ride in September and raise funds for WVI. On this iconic London to Brighton Cycle Ride, leave the buzz of the city behind and join thousands of your fellow cyclists as you face the challenge of a 55-mile. Journey on two wheels from the heart of London to the buzzing Brighton seafront! Pledge to raise £250 for WVI and we'II send you a WVI cycling tops. To book your place and for more information click here. 

We were delighted when our Wildlife Warrior Jacqui Allingham choose to raise funds for WVI & finally got to complete the London to Brighton bike ride in 2021, following setbacks from covid restrictions. She raised an awesome £564.

Why Jacqui wanted to fundraise for WVI, "At the beginning of 2020 I signed up to the London to Brighton Bike Ride as a personal challenge and to repay the wildlife that has given me so much pleasure over the past few years. I picked Wildlife Vets International as my charity of choice. WVI provides an amazing service to the international conservation community, by providing veterinary expertise around the world to save endangered species such as the Amur tiger, the painted wolves in Africa and even the UK's”.

OBSTACLES & MUD

A team of Colchester Zoo keepers Ran for Big Cats in the Tough Mudder Midlands Half in May 2017. It's been sometime since we've had a team compete in the Tough Mudder on behalf of WVI. If you are interested there are lots to choose from - Move events here. There are even Mini Tough Mudders for those kids who love getting mucky.