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Banham Zoo keeper in last few days of running wild




Not many running routes take in tigers and giraffes, but for one Banham Zoo keeper, who is entering the final few days of a month-long fundraising challenge, it is the norm.

Stacey Foreman has been running 5km around the zoo’s grounds every day after work this month, and has been doing the same distance at home on days off – all to raise vital funds for the zoo.

She said: “Other people have been doing some incredible things for the zoo, but I wanted to help by raising some money myself. Running 5km every day through May just seemed to roll off the tongue, so I decided to do it.”

Four of the attraction’s giraffes crane their necks to catch a glimpse of Stacey Foreman as she runs past.Picture: Mark Bullimore
Four of the attraction’s giraffes crane their necks to catch a glimpse of Stacey Foreman as she runs past.Picture: Mark Bullimore

The keeper, who only started at the attraction in September after spending four-and-a-half years at its sister zoo Africa Alive, has some interesting onlookers during her challenge, which will see her clock up a total of 155km by the end of the feat on Sunday.

She said: “Running around the zoo is a little different to where I normally run.

“Some of the animals just lift their heads as if to say ‘there she goes again’ but I still get chased by the tiger and the cheetahs still follow me as I go past.”

The 31-year-old worked out that 5km was about four laps of the outside of the zoo, which represented its own challenge.

She said: “I am not a fan of just going around in circles, so I have been changing my route up from time to time.

“When the weather has been bad or it has been a particularly busy day, going straight into the run has been really hard.”

In times like these, Stacey has drawn on the support of family, friends and colleagues to spur herself on.

She said: “It has been amazing. I started at £250, got there, then £500 and did that, and now we have gone past £1,000.

“I am so grateful to everybody who has donated. Every time I have needed a little boost, I have checked out the page and, when I see new donations, it has helped me get on and do it, so thank you to everyone.”

To donate, go online to justgiving.com/fundraising/stacey-foreman.



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