A FLINTSHIRE family will take on a charity challenge to help raise funding for Chester Zoo.

Gemma Jones, from Greenfield, will be joined by her sister Sophie and brother Ryan in a mammoth cycle from their hometown near Holywell to Chester Zoo – a 44 mile round trip in total.

Gemma told the Leader that the news the zoo was potentially facing indefinite closure as a result of visitors not being allowed to the attraction because the coronavirus pandemic restrictions was upsetting to all three siblings.

She said: “As a family, we remember going to the zoo as children, and a lot of our family members go to the zoo as annual pass holders. We all have such fond memories at the zoo and to think it could have potentially closed its doors is just heart-breaking.

“We wanted to try and raise as much money as possible for the Zoo and help do what we can to keep it running in the background whilst we are going through this crazy time.”

Many zoos, including Chester Zoo, had warned the Government they were facing the real prospect of closing for good if they were unable to reopen soon.

Government rules on the coronavirus legislation had changed on June 1 so zoos and aquariums were specifically prevented from being allowed to reopen.

Chester Zoo revealed it was losing £1 million a month and faced the prospect of being £24 million in debt at the end of the year if something was not done to help them survive.

Following huge public pressure, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to announce on Wednesday, June 15, that all zoos will be allowed to reopen as part of the latest easing of the coronavirus lockdown.

The trio have set up an online fundraising page to collect donations ahead of setting off on Saturday, June 20 to cycle from Wales to the popular attraction in England.

A target was initially set at £300 – which the group have since surpassed.

To donate to their cause, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/saveourzoobikeride.