How kids raised £2,700 to help save Chester Zoo

The 15 friends, aged 2 to 11, raised £2,700 to help save Chester Zoo.

Joseph Greenaway and sister Charlie-Fay

As their target reached £1,000, their proud mums decided to match the challenge and couldn't believe how tough it was.

The mums, all best friends, climbed the same distance, up and down their stairs 74 times - in one day.

The mums, pictured before lockdown, from left Rebecca Hargreaves, Zoe Jones, Georgina Weedman, Leanne Hudson, Hanna Lydiate, Natasha Dawkins, Charlotte Brookshaw and Sarah Jayne Baldini

Zoe Jones, a teaching assistant, who works with children with autism at Middlewich High School, said: "It was like an epic work out. We didn't realise how hard it was.

Amelie Brookshaw and brother Harry

" The first 20 flights and last 20 were a killer. The day after my ankles were really tight and painful."

Zoe, 30, from Winsford, was impressed by the speed and agility of daughter Darcey Chorlton, 10, and the other children.

Darcey Chorlton

Darcey, 10, is a pupil at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Winsford.

Other members of the team include Harry and Amelie Brookshaw, Max and Zinnia Baldini, Charlie and Joseph Greenaway, Kyan, Kayden, Koa and Ziah Dawkins, Frankie, Albie and Ava Kerr and Ella Woodward.

Ella Woodward

Kyan, 11, is the oldest who took part and two-year-old twins Frankie and Albie, are the youngest.

Albie Kerr

They climbed the stairs in their own homes.

Frankie Kerr

The children are pupils at High Street, Wharton, Whitegate and Helsby primary schools.

Max Baldini

"The kids were amazing," said Zoe. "They were running up and down the stairs. There was no running for me."

Zinnia Baldini

The children all love visiting Chester Zoo and a few of them have memberships. They love to spend time and learn about all the different animals.

Ava Kerr

The mums and have kept in touch since they were in the same class together at former Verdin High School in Winsford.

Chester Zoo has thanked the children and is sending them each a special certificate to congratulate them on their efforts.

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"When go to the zoo the kids will realise that they helped to keep it open," said Zoe. "It was good for us all to do something positive whilst everything else is up in the air.

"The mums are all hoping to climb Snowdon for Chester Zoo when we are all allowed to be together again for a real climb."

The mums want to thank their friend Hanna Lydiate for co-ordinating the fundraising.

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/charlotte-brookshaw1