Brainiacs for wildlife

Local masterminds have raised over £700 in aid of Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Upton Heath Appeal.

With sheer brain-power alone, the 85 quiz masters have helped the restoration of one of Dorset’s most popular urban wildlife reserves, and ensured a future for some of Britain’s rarest wildlife.

The local quiz night held regularly at the village hall in Lytchett Matravers nominates a charity for each quiz and in December the team decided to host a night to fundraise towards Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Upton Heath Appeal. The appeal is a result of a huge fire that ravaged the nature reserve in June 2011, destroying 140 acres of wildlife rich habitat at the peak of the bird and reptile breeding season to disastrous effect.

Andy Fale, Upton Heath Warden at Dorset Wildlife Trust said, “After the devastating fire on June the 9th, it is amazing to see that even 5 months afterwards people are still getting together to raise money for the reserve’s restoration. I attended the quiz and we had a fantastic night and a great turn out with £750 raised. This money will go straight towards restoring Upton Heath, and we can’t thank the quiz organisers Kate and Richard Coombs and Rosie Endecott enough for choosing us for their fundraising.”

Since the Upton Heath Appeal started in June over £40,000 has been raised by the public towards restoration of the nature reserve, as well as having over 250 volunteers heading out after the disaster to rescue over 550 reptiles and other wildlife from the ashes of the fire. As well as starting on the restoration work, Dorset Wildlife Trust is setting up a “Heathwatch” volunteer group to help monitor local heathland and keep it safe to enjoy for both people and wildlife.

To contribute to the appeal, visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/uptonheathappeal or ring 01305 264620. To volunteer for Upton Heathwatch, visit the Upton Heathwatch page at www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/heathwatch or call 01202 692033.