A ‘push’ for funding has been launched to support Shaldon Wildlife Trust’s project to grow some of its own food for the animals in its care.

The Zoo Food project has created thriving gardens on a spare patch of land at the zoo and two Shaldon Allotment sites, supplying leafy greens, herbs and vegetables for several different species.

It’s a win-win situation, producing fresh, organic, low-cost food for the animals while cutting costs, food transportation miles and packaging waste.

Now the two volunteers who created Zoo Food, Harry Coleman and Jo Mackenzie, have launched an crowdfunding appeal to raise £6,000 for their own project and two related causes.

They want to help the Shaldon Wildlife Trust with other animal care costs, and support a conservation initiative in Indonesia to save the endangered Java slow loris.

To support the online crowdfunder, Harry Coleman will push his mother Dorrie in her wheelchair from Dawlish to Shaldon Zoo – about four miles - on Saturday, June 20.

Harry said: “Now, some people train for marathons. Some climb mountains.

“I've decided to push a wheelchair several miles along the coast.

“At the time it seemed like a good idea!

“But every push, every hill and every mile has a purpose.

“We're raising money to improve Zoo Food's growing facilities, including repairs to our polytunnel and greenhouse and the development of new growing areas.

“These improvements will allow us to grow more food, grow a wider variety of food and become even more sustainable in the future.”

Harry’s wheelchair push will start from Dawlish seafront at 10am on June 20.

Donations can be made at a wide range of supporting businesses in Teignmouth, Shaldon and Dawlish, many of which are also match-funding the sponsorship pledges.

To donate online visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/QWwqOGdy or via the Zoo Food page on Shaldon Wildlife Trust’s website https://www.shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk/zoo-food