We were so inspired to join in with the Hedgehog Walk last year after realising that, during our children’s lifetimes, hedgehogs could go extinct.Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Beloved Timmy Time characters and thousands of little legs set to take big steps for nature this spring
6-year-old Carter and his sister Violet, age 4, from Cannock Wood, are asking children across the county to join them in a wild adventure by taking part in Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Hedgehog Walk between Monday 30 March to Thursday 30 April.
At this time, little legs across the country will be taking big steps for wildlife in The Hedgehog Walk – a fun and family-friendly fundraising challenge in partnership with Timmy Time of the multi-award-winning studio Aardman.
On a mission to create safer spaces for hedgehogs to thrive, this annual challenge invites thousands of people - including families, schools, clubs and learning groups - to walk, wheel, crawl or roll 3km with Timmy and friends – the same distance, a hedgehog wanders in a single night.
People can choose the day and place to complete their challenge, breaking it into several small distances or doing it all in one day. While doing so their fundraising will help to raise vital funds for nature and highlights how everyone can help wildlife, including hedgehogs, to thrive.
With hedgehog numbers having fallen by 30% in just over 10 years, there are now thought to be fewer than one million left in the UK. As the challenge takes place during the same time hedgehogs start to come out of hibernation, those taking part can really help to make a difference and raise awareness of hedgehogs’ plight.
Carter and Violet - Hedgehog Walk fundraisers at Gentleshaw Common
Hedgehog in the shadows - Adobe stock image
Laura Jones, Fundraising Officer at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, and mum to Carter and Violet says:
“We were so inspired to join in with the Hedgehog Walk last year after realising that, during our children’s lifetimes, hedgehogs could go extinct.
“After signing up, we quickly saw just how simple, fun and educational the challenge really is. It helped us truly understand how vital the work of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is and how much this fundraising can help, which is why we are so excited to be joining in again this year.”
Rachael Peacock, head of brand marketing at Aardman, the creators of Timmy Time, says:
“We’re delighted to return with The Wildlife Trusts for another Hedgehog Walk, with Timmy and Apricot leading the way once more. It’s a brilliant opportunity for families to enjoy the outdoors together, learn about the wildlife around them, and take part in something that makes a real difference.”
Sign up today, and you and your child will receive a downloadable activity pack bursting with Timmy Time fun. It’s packed with engaging resources such as posters, activity sheets, fact sheets and tracking timelines to help mark the 3km milestone, sparking curiosity and helping young wildlife enthusiasts learn how to care for the natural world around them. Plus, you’ll get everything you need to fundraise for the wildlife you and your little one love.
The donations children collect will help care for wildlife in Staffordshire. For example, every £27 raised could help a local child engage with nature through a play or an educational session, or every £50 raised could help care for a local nature reserve for a day.
Whether you’re toddling through the park with Timmy, marching through the woods with Apricot, or counting laps in the playground with Bumpy, every step with Timmy and friends helps build a better future for wildlife. Use the hashtag #HedgehogWalk on social media to share your adventure!
