WHILE many of us spend our birthdays opening presents and eating cake, a dad-of-two has decided to spend his big day running 50 miles around a zoo.

Mark Prigg has set himself the otterly ambitious challenge of running around Colchester Zoo’s meandering paths for ten hours on Sunday, February 28, for his 50th birthday.

Mark, who lives in Colchester, will be let into the Maldon Road attraction by zookeepers at 7am and he plans to run until 5pm.

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Family - Mark with Maddie and Tom 

If he cannot complete all 50 miles within that time, he is determined to run the rest of the distance that evening outside the zoo’s grounds.

Mark said the inspiration behind the demanding challenge is his 18-year-old daughter, Maddie, and 22-year-old son, Tom.

Before she was furloughed, Maddie worked part time at the zoo as a retail and admissions assistant, and Tom also used to work part time in the catering department.

Mark said Maddie has been explaining how much the coronavirus pandemic has taken a huge toll on the zoo over the past year.

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In March last year, the zoo closed its doors for what would become the first of three national lockdowns to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Savings are being eaten away by the day-to-day running costs, while the majority of the zoo’s overseas conservation support has been suspended.

Last year, the facility’s annual turnover was down by almost £4million from the previous year.

Attendance last year was 40 per cent down on 2019, with just 600,000 visitors.

The zoo costs about £600,000 a month to run as it cares for more than 10,000 animals.

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Fundraiser - Mark and daughter Maddie 

Mark is hoping his 50-mile mission will raise £3,000 or more for the zoo.

He said: “Aside from working there, Maddie and Tom both love the zoo and we have had many wonderful visits there over the years.

“But Maddie has told me how much the zoo has been struggling and inspired me to take on this challenge.

“So I thought I would take on a charity run to raise funds and awareness for Colchester Zoo’s plight.

“On my 50th, I am aiming to run around the zoo’s hilly paths all day.

“I am hoping to run for 50 miles.”

Mark, who works at Linklaters LLP, in Colchester, said even the smallest amount of money can make a big difference to the zoo.

“Just £20 can care for one of their spider monkeys for a day,” he added.

“£30 can feed one of their sealions their quota of fish for a day.

“Or £40 can cover a day’s food for one of their white rhinos.”

So far Mark has raised more than £2,000.

To find out more or sponsor Mark, visit gofundme.com/f/zoo5050.