A FIVE-year-old zoo fanatic has raised thousands of pounds to help care for animals during lockdown.

Thomas Rose, also known as TJ, has been fundraising to feed every animal at Colchester Zoo for a day.

The youngster has already raised more than £8,000 and hopes to reach his target of £10,000 by his sixth birthday on February 20.

Mum Kirsty said TJ, who has visited the zoo every month since he was eight months old, was devastated when the zoo had to close and decided he wanted to help.

First, he set out to raise £50 with a mini Colchester Zoo made of Lego, which would feed one rhino for the day, but the fundraising just kept growing.

Kirsty said: “When we went into second lockdown, he decided he would take his animal enclosures that he builds with Lego on to the front garden and try to speak to the neighbours about the zoo’s situation.

“He’s always been fascinated by animals and all of his play is always about animals and building zoos. He loves learning about them and will watch Sir David Attenborough.

“His understanding of conservation is really emerging, and he gets upset about animals being endangered in the wild.

“We set him up with a go fund me page and it grew and grew.

“He stood outside every weekend shaking his money pot and explaining about the zoo and why it needs help to anyone passing by.”

After seeing this success, TJ decided he wanted to raise enough money to feed all the animals at the zoo for one day, which would cost £10,000.

In just six weeks, he raised £6,000.

The zoo has faced a major financial black hole as it costs £25,000 a day to run, but is not receiving any money from visitors during lockdown.

In a bid to reach his final target, TJ, from Dunmow, ran a marathon dressed as his favourite animal, a lion.

Kirsty said: “He ran 26.2 miles over 12 days dressed as a lion and his total now stands at just over £8,000.”

“We are really grateful to everyone who has shared and donated to his fundraiser.

“The community spirit has been phenomenal, and it is clear everyone loves Colchester Zoo as much as we do as a family.”

To donate, search TJ saves Colchester Zoo on gofundme.com.