Best foot forward!

DZG Senior Keeper, Jodie Dryden, is putting her best foot forward to encourage fundraising for Cancer Research UK – a charity close to her heart.

The Lower Primates keeper is urging people to take part in Walk All Over Cancer challenge in honour of her sister Charlie who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2013, by walking 10,000 steps everyday in March.

Jodie said: “It’s thanks to research that my sister survived and went on to have two beautiful boys, so I am really pleased to be supporting Cancer Research UK.

“I want to show that walking 10,000 steps a day is achievable and what better way to get your step count up than by visiting the zoo?

“I’m fortunate that my job is fairly active but not everyone gets to walk around during their working day. They need to find more inventive ways to boost their step count which is where a trip to the zoo can help.”

And Jodie has demonstrated how easy it is to get started by filming the first ever 360 video of DZG which takes viewers on a whistle stop tour of the site, stopping off to say hello to the lemurs, giraffes and lorikeets.

Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the West Midlands, Paula Young, said: “Walking 10,000 steps is equal to about five miles, based on the average person’s strides. That’s quite a challenge for many people but Jodie’s video shows it doesn’t have to be dull.

“Adopting small lifestyle changes – from walking to work or taking the stairs instead of the lift – can also help make the goal feel achievable.”

DZG Marketing Manager, Andrea Hales, said: “With 40-acres to explore, which includes more than 200 animal species and an 11th century castle in the heart of the grounds, the zoo offers the perfect opportunity to keep fit all year round as some of our paths are quite hilly – but there’s plenty to see and learn along the way!

“We’re proud to support Cancer Research UK’s campaign and encourage everyone to put their best foot forward in achieving their daily 10,000 steps.”