Running Wild for Noah's Ark

About me

My name is Matthew Willey. I’m 27 years old and from North Wales. I’ve worked for Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm for nearly 2 years as a park ranger/education team. I’ve run six half marathons, two for local charities. My main goal is to help raise awareness for any charities that inspire me to make a better future. Therefore, I’ll be running the Bristol half marathon in an ostrich costume to help raise awareness of all the great work Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is doing to help ‘endangered’ or ‘vulnerable’ animals.

Charity

Set in over 100 acres of beautiful countryside Noah’s Ark has been able to create large enclosures based on modern best practices. The Elephant habitat is the largest in the UK and is recognised as world-leading in its scale and facilities.

The Zoo now has over 100 species of animals including several species classified as ‘endangered’ or ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, including African elephants, Andean bears and Siamang gibbons. In addition, the Zoo has a strong focus on native conservation including the conservation of native Farm Animals and in 2022 received their Rare Breeds Survival Trust accreditation. The Rare Farm Breeds program at Noah’s Ark aims to support the survival of rare-breed British Farm animals for future generations.

Event

Loved by Bristolians and beyond, the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run is known as the best in the South West – and for good reason. Each year, thousands of runners push their perseverance and passion to the limit and take on Bristol’s half marathon routes. Starting in the heart of the city, runners will pass some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and hear the incredible local support all along the route, before a grandstand finish in Millennium Square. The total distance of the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run is 13.1 miles.

Thank you for your support and donations :).