If Eddie Izzard can do it, then so can I (From Worcester News)

If Eddie Izzard can do it, then so can I

12:10pm Saturday 28th April 2012 in Worcester By James Connell

AN IRON man from Worcester will run six marathons in six days to help save orangutans from extinction in a gruelling fund-raiser inspired by comedian Eddie Izzard.

David Faulkner, aged 38, of Barbourne Terrace, hopes to start the epic fund-raiser from Worcester to Jersey on June 2.

Mr Faulkner has asked retiring councillor Mike Layland to formally start the run from the city’s Guildhall which is symbolic for Mr Faulkner – when Mr Layland was first mayor he started a fun run outside the Guildhall when Mr Faulkner was about seven years old.

The run will finish at the Orangutan enclosure at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey, raising funds and awareness of Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sandakan, Borneo, and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Mr Faulkner chose to raise funds for these causes after visiting Borneo five years ago. He said: “I thought, ‘I have got to do something’.

“I thought ‘If Eddie Izzard can do it, I’m reasonably fit, why can’t I?’ It is based on a long-standing appreciation of the animal.”

Mr Faulkner has set a target of £2,012 and has already raised £1,700, but hopes Worcester News readers can help him reach and even smash his target. The goal is to raise as much money and awareness as possible for Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in rescuing, rehabilitating and repatriating orangutans into their diminishing natural habitat (orangutan-appeal.org.uk) and support the work of Durrell and its ongoing commitment to save species from extinction (durrell.org).

The run will start in Worcester and will cover 160 miles through Cheltenham, Swindon, Charlton St Peter, Salisbury, Brockenhurst, Poole and Jersey.

He said: “This is only a small gesture in the grand scheme of things, but I know it will help and more importantly raise the profile of the real danger all orangutans face. I hope to raise awareness of the destruction of habitats through illegal logging, and the massive worldwide palm oil consumption is having upon orangutans across Borneo.

“Their natural habitat is being cleared on massive scales everyday to create new palm plantations, and this is putting orangutans close to extinction.”

For updates ‘like’ the Facebook page facebook.com/pages/Davids-6in6-orangutans-2012, follow Mr Faulkner on twitter@orangutans2012, or donate by visiting justgiving.co.uk/6in6-orangutans2012 or text ORAN12 followed by your donation to 70070. To donate directly to Durrell, visit dur rell.org/donate.