The Covid-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic effect with the cancellation of thousands of events and the loss of billions in income through fundraising events and at The Big Cat Sanctuary without being able to run it’s normal exclusive experiences and fundraising events vital income has dried up.

A large part of the sanctuary’s staff have been furloughed in order to reduce costs, but a small team of Keepers and other staff have remained to feed and care for the animals and keep the charity running.

Some of the team are living and working on site and have taken up the 2.6 Challenge aiming to run 26miles and cycle and walk 262miles between them in order to raise funds to cover the ongoing costs and allow them to continue to care for the cats and fund important conservation work. Other members of staff are joining in from home and running, walking or cycling their own 26 miles!

The Challenge launches today and will continue through the week culminating with a Marathon relay on Friday 1st May, when the Sanctuary will also be broadcasting Live on social media at 11am with their BBC Big Cats about the House star, Maya the black Jaguar.