Wildlife park workers run London Marathon for African conservation

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 06:00 · Archive

Two wildlife park workers will run the 2027 London Marathon to raise funds for Tusk, an African conservation charity.

Two wildlife park workers will run the London Marathon on 25 April 2027 to raise funds for Tusk, a charity focused on conservation across Africa. Fenia Vitali, general manager of Cheddar Gorge and Caves, and Danny Baker, house and collections steward at Longleat, are preparing for the event.

Ms Vitali said she has dreamt of running the iconic London marathon for ten years and previously ran the Paris marathon. She highlighted her personal connection to Tusk's mission, explaining that at nineteen years old she travelled to Kenya with the Dorset Expeditionary Society to support community projects and visit Maasai Mara National Reserve. She said: 'I'll never forget the experience of seeing lions, elephants and cheetahs in their natural habitat, and it's an experience which sparked a lifelong passion for wildlife conservation.'

Mr Baker said the marathon offers an opportunity to push his own limits. Although he has not run a marathon before, he completed the Spartan Beast earlier this year, a 21-kilometre obstacle course race. He said: 'I love to keep challenging myself, and this marathon is the perfect opportunity to do so.'

Mr Baker said he is not naturally a long-distance runner and needs to continue building his consistency and discipline. He expressed a desire to inspire others, particularly his daughter, to keep fit. He said: 'I like to keep progressing and want to help inspire people, particularly my daughter, to keep fit and that they can achieve anything.'

Wildlife park workers run London Marathon for African conservation — Image: Gazette & Herald

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How it is being reported

Wildlife park workers take on London Marathon to support African conservationTwo wildlife park workers are preparing to take on the London Marathon in support of animal conservationGazette & Herald · 17 Oct, 05:00
Wildlife park workers take on London Marathon to support African conservationTwo wildlife park workers are preparing to take on the London Marathon in support of animal conservationSwindon Advertiser · 17 Oct, 05:00
Wildlife park workers take on London Marathon to support African conservationTwo wildlife park workers are preparing to take on the London Marathon in support of animal conservationThis Is Wiltshire · 17 Oct, 05:00
Wildlife park workers take on London Marathon to support African conservationTwo wildlife park workers are preparing to take on the London Marathon in support of animal conservationWiltshire Times · 17 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Fenia Vitali · Danny Baker · Tusk · Cheddar Gorge and Caves · Longleat · London · Kenya · Maasai Mara National Reserve

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