Jimmy’s Wild Run for Chester Zoo

6-year-old Jimmy Roose, from Mold, after hearing the news regarding Chester Zoo and the financial difficulties the zoo was facing having to close its doors due to Covid-19, decided he needed to help save the zoo he loved to visit. 

At the beginning of June Jimmy set out to complete a marathon run of 26 miles around Mold. 

His target was to run a mile each day, with his dad Rob running at his side and complete his task by end of June. 

So with his justgiving page set up with original fundraising target of £500, Jimmy set out on his run to raise awareness of Chester Zoo plight.

Jimmy took just 19 days to complete his marathon, exceeding his expected mile a day on most days, with his longest run coming in at 2.6 miles, which is a quite a lot for a 6 year old and he has smashed his original £500 target, raising an amazing £4,630.00 in total.

Claire Roose, Jimmy’s super proud mum said: “As soon as Jimmy heard the news about the difficulties Chester Zoo was facing he asked straight away how he could help.

He’s enjoyed visiting the zoo regularly over the years and it was top of the list of places to visit once lockdown in Wales was eased. We are immensely proud of what he has achieved, he has ran come rain or shine and was determined to do his bit to help.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget he is only 6, he has the biggest heart and kindest soul. We have been overwhelmed by the support of our community and would like to thank everyone for supporting him”

On Saturday 20th June Jimmy was joined on his penultimate mile by a few furry friends for a social distanced run 4 times around Kendricks Field in Mold. 

Joining Jimmy were two mascots from Chester Zoo; a Gorilla and a Tiger, inside the suits where employees from the Zoo and local Mold residents, Carl Askew, Facilities Manager and Mark Vercoe, Deputy Curator of Birds

Carl Askew, Facilities Manager at Chester Zoo, said: “It was an absolute privilege to join Jimmy on the 25th mile of his challenge. What he’s done for the zoo is amazing, and living so locally to me made me feel even more proud.

The love, the passion and the energy shown by so many people all over the UK, has completely humbled us. We’ve been shown overwhelming kindness when times are hard for everyone, not just us, and I can’t express how thankful everyone at the zoo is to all of these fundraising superstars, such as Jimmy.

“This fight is far from over for us, even though the zoo is now open again, but we will keep doing everything we can to save our zoo. Each and every fundraiser is an inspiration and is making a real difference.”
Also joining Jimmy on penultimate run was Mayor of Mold Councillor Teresa Carberry, Deputy Mayor Councillor Sarah Taylor (dressed as a Reindeer), Mold’s own Bailey Bear, a lion from Lions International Club and an inflatable turkey!

Mayor of Mold Councillor Teresa Carberry was delighted to be invited to view the run and said “I have been following Jimmy’s run on social media and I am sure I speak for the community when I say we are extremely proud of Jimmy and the determination he has shown in completing this quite literally marathon task. 

He is a lovely caring little boy and his family must be very proud of him”

Chester Zoo may now have opened their gates to visitors but they are still in need of public support as during the three months that the zoo was closed, they have suffered severe financial damage and the road to recovery will be long and uncertain. If anyone would like to donate to Chester Zoo please visit Jimmy’s justgiving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/claire-roose2