Explore goes ape for London’s Great Gorilla Run once again
In support of the endangered mountain gorilla, adventure specialist Explore is once again chief sponsor of the Great Gorilla Run, taking place this Sunday (25 September) in London.
This annual event sees 600 ‘gorillas’ – entrants must wear a full gorilla outfit, including masks – running past famous London landmarks. While bewildered tourists assume London Zoo’s security isn’t what it was, most members of the public offer encouraging cheers. This year, Bill Oddie will be the run’s Starter, and will dish out prizes at the end.
This year, 21 Explore staff members will be taking part in the run, the most entrants that the company has ever fielded. Each is raising at least £400 – via such inventive means as cake-baking, quizzes and car boot sales, all while in full costume! – which means nearly £9,000 has been raised by Explore in total.
All money raised goes to the London based charity the Gorilla Organization (GO). This is an international charity led by experienced African conservationists dedicated to saving the world’s gorillas from extinction. To do so, they utilise a unique community-based approach empowering local people to tackle the main threats to the gorillas’ survival.
As the event’s sponsor, Explore is also providing prizes to the highest fundraiser (a free Explore holiday) and to the runner travelling the furthest to take part. It’s already known that some entrants are coming all the way from Canada.
Says Explore’s Managing Director, Ashley Toft, who himself ran in the run last year: “This one-off event is challenging, huge fun and incredibly valuable. We’re honoured to be able to help out such an effective and vital wildlife charity as GO, in the name of preserving global gorilla populations. We’re also very pleased to have a giggle at Explore staff dressed head-to-toe in a silly costume.”
For your chance to contribute to the protection of the world’s gorillas’ protection, there’s still time to donate online at www.gorillas.org.
For your own gorilla adventure, Explore offers the following tours:
Gorilla Getaway (5 days, Rwanda): This long weekend takes you into the heart of the Gorillas domain, on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda. Prices start from £1,579 pp, include flights (Heathrow), all transport, three nights’ B&B, five other meals and an Explore tour leader. Explore (0844 499 0901, www.explore.co.uk)
Gorilla and Chimp Safari (10 days, Uganda): Observe Uganda’s mountain gorillas and trek through the forests of Chambura Gorge in search of chimps. Prices start from £2,350 pp, including flights (Heathrow), all transport, seven nights’ B&B, ten other meals and an Explore tour leader. Explore (0844 499 0901, www.explore.co.uk)
Ends
24 September 2010
Press:For further information, images or comment, contact Richard Mellor at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email r.mellor@travelpr.co.uk