Elephants, the gentle giants that grace this fragile world, hold a profound significance in my heart. They are not mere animals but essential gardeners, architects, and custodians of our planet's delicate balance. Witnessing them in their natural habitat is witnessing the embodiment of nature's poetry. However, the plight of elephants, captive and wild, weighs heavily on my soul. They face significant challenges: persecuted in conflict with communities, brutally killed by ivory traffickers, suffering from droughts and shrinking habitats and held captive in zoos worldwide.

Born Free is an passionate animal welfare charity campaigning for a future where charismatic wild animals are no longer held in zoo's, working in the field to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and working tirelessly to halt the cruelty of poaching and trafficking. I am taking up their challenge to Walk on the Wildside, to raise vital funds, and to raise awareness.

I will be taking on the challenging endurance 15 mile Trunk Trek on 12 August, World Elephant Day.

I'm walking to honour the memory my father, Dirk Lamprecht: Pops was an inspiration, a beacon of indefatigable optimism.

I'm walking even further in memory of Pole Pole, the elephant, who sadly passed away at London Zoo and sparked the flame of compassion that was the start of Born Free. Pole Pole - the Elephant called Slowly.

I'm walking in solidarity with the 49 remaining elephants’ captive in UK zoos and in celebration of the remaining free-roaming elephants of Africa and Asia.

Every step I take is a defiant act against a system that denies these majestic creatures their inherent right to roam. While walking empowers us with physical and mental health benefits, thousands of animals in zoos are unjustly deprived of this essential freedom of movement.

By sponsoring my walking challenge, you become an advocate for these incredible creatures, amplifying their voice and forging a brighter future for generations to come.

Never underestimate the power of collective action. Many small actions converge to create a profound ripple of change.