Superhero giraffe Rory (3) reaches new heights in his mission to save Chester Zoo

Rory loves visiting the zoo, especially Chester Zoo, so he was left totally devastated when he heard the zoo was struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. In order to try and help out the animals, he came up with a heartwarming way to raise funds. And with his superhero cape, mask and amazing giraffe outfit, there was no stopping roaring Rory!

His proud mum, Hannah, explained: "Rory has been visiting Chester Zoo since he was only a few weeks old. He’s been around eight times. His new baby brother, Finlay, is only four months old and has already been for his first, pre-lockdown visit! Other than visiting his grandparents, the main thing Rory has been asking to do during lockdown is go to the zoo, so when we found out that there was a threat that he may never be able to return, we wanted to do our little bit to help and therefore set the challenge of walking 120 miles in the Ribble Valley in eight weeks to raise funds for the zoo. To make it more interesting, we’ve created scavenger hunts and also purchased some litter picking tools which Rory loves doing in and around the area. It’s important to us that Rory learns, loves and cares for the world around him and there’s no better way to do that than to enjoy it on walks. Rory the Super Giraffe’s costume was made for one of his friends' 'princess and super hero parties' where my strong-willed boy insisted that he would go as a super giraffe. Poor mummy was then forced to create the costume with strict guidance and instructions from Rory himself on what a super giraffe would look like!"

Rory has already raised a fantastic amount of £535 - smashing his original £120 target.

Hannah added: "We keep telling him how generous people are being and he asks every time if that means we’ve saved the zoo yet (if only it was that easy). We’ve not lived in the area long and the support we’ve already received from local people and organisations has been fantastic. I would just like to say, ff you see Rory the super giraffe out and about, all we ask is that you give him a wave of support. If, however, this is a cause that resonates with you, then you might like to sponsor him for a small amount to help him ‘save the zoo'."

Anyone wishing to donate online can do so by clicking here