This month, I met up with fundraisers new and old to learn more about how they are making a difference to Welsh wildlife with their #WILDFundraisers.

John Ibbotson is one of our most dedicated #WILDFundraisers and started his fundraising journey back in 2020. Over the last 3 years he has used his passion for wildlife and photography to create calendars which he has sold to raise money to support his favourite charities, including The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales. His calendars showcase the diversity of Welsh wildlife, from puffins on Skomer Island to kingfishers at Teifi Marshes as well as sunsets from his favourite local spots around Aberystwyth. Thanks to the support of local shops and his community he sold over 300 of his 2023 calendars, raising an incredible £1024.40, bringing his fundraising total to £3100!

John said, "During the pandemic, photography and wildlife watching became much more than just a hobby as I was able to engage so much more with the nature around us. At the start of the first lockdown I began to post on my Facebook page at least one photo a day of wildlife taken in our garden. I obviously didn’t realise how long a project this was to become and I kept it up for over 150 days, including photographs taken on local walks as restrictions were gradually lifted. These posts proved very popular and a number of people suggested I should make a wildlife calendar in addition to the sunset ones I had produced for a number of years to raise money for charity. It seemed appropriate to donate the profit to the Wildlife Trust and Mind Aberystwyth in recognition of the importance nature and wildlife played to so many people in keeping them going during those difficult times. I have continued to donate to both causes as I feel it is important not to forget lessons learnt during the pandemic."

This month, I also met up with new #WILDFundraiser, Diane Cuff, who has raised £200 for the Trust! Diane found her passion for painting during lockdown, and ever since she has used her paintbrush to give back to her local community and the causes she cares about. At the end of 2022, she created a series of Christmas cards to support different charities in her local area. She produced wonderful puffin Christmas cards to raise money for our special seabirds on Skomer Island. They were incredibly well received, and she hopes to make this a tradition every year!

Thanks to fundraisers like John and Diane that we can continue our work to conserve Welsh wildlife!

Start your fundraising journey by becoming a #WILDFundrasier!