It’s Monkey Business for MP Sheryll Murray during English Tourism Week
It’s Monkey Business for MP Sheryll Murray during English Tourism Week
South East Cornwall MP, Sheryll Murray, will be visiting Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary on Friday 4th April 2014 to deliver an enrichment workshop as part of English Tourism Week.
As part of English Tourism Week, MPs have been encouraged to go “back to the floor” and volunteer in different tourism businesses to raise awareness of the vital contribution it makes to the UK economy.
Sheryll Murray, will be joining Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary as part of the Education team to demonstrate to students how to make enrichment parcels for the rescued monkeys. Sadly all the monkeys at the Monkey Sanctuary will never be able to be released into the wild, mainly due to the physical and/ or psychological issues they endure following their time kept as pets, and so enrichment is vital in order to ensure against boredom.
English Tourism Week which is promoted by Visit England, is a week-long celebration of the tourism industry. Tourism is hugely important to Wild Futures, as the majority of its charitable income comes from its 30,000 visitors every year. Without donations from its visitors each year, the charity would not be able to continue in its vital work, protecting primates and habitats worldwide.
On visiting The Monkey Sanctuary, there’s a lot to do for the whole family: you can take a tour of the monkey enclosures and learn about these fascinating animals from the team of expert keepers. Or take a gentle stroll around the beautiful gardens, a haven for native wildlife and stop for a bite to eat in the award winning Treetop café. The children will be enticed by the play area, where they can swing like monkeys or take part in arts and crafts in the purpose built activity room.
When invited by Wild Futures to take part in this special day, Sheryll jumped at the chance! In fact Sheryll is a long term supporter of the charity, and adopts one of the rescued monkeys called Donkey.
Sheryll Murray stated: “I always love visiting the sanctuary and especially visiting my adopted monkey, Donkey. It is a great visit and remember all the entrance money goes to the sanctuary helping to look after the monkeys which cannot be released to the wild.”
Zoe Porrington from Wild Futures states: “The support that we receive from Sheryll is fantastic and we are extremely grateful for her time taken out to do this. The students are looking forward to the workshop and I’m sure the monkeys will love the enrichment parcels that she prepares!”
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Notes to Editors:
Release date: 31st March 2014
About Wild Futures
Wild Futures (Charity reg. No. 1102532) is an educational and environmental charity promoting the welfare and conservation of primates, and working to end the abuse of primates in captivity. Its flagship project, The Monkey Sanctuary, in Cornwall, is home to victims of the primate pet trade. The Monkey Sanctuary is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and is a founder member of EARS (European Alliance of Rescue Centres and Sanctuaries). Wild Futures is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014. Drawing on its 50 years of primate expertise, Wild Futures acts as an advisory body to sanctuaries and conservation organisations in the UK and overseas and advises DEFRA on UK animal welfare legislation.
The Monkey Sanctuary information
Telephone: 0844 272 1271
Opening Times:
The Monkey Sanctuary is open from 1st April to 2nd November 2014, every day except Fridays. Open from 11am-4.30pm, last admissions 4pm. Tickets are available at a 10% discount online.
Check the website for more information www.monkeysanctuary.org.
About English Tourism Week
English Tourism Week 2014 is a week-long celebration of events from the 29 March to 6 April 2014 showcasing the quality and vibrancy of the visitor experiences and the value our industry brings to our nation. The national initiative was designed to:
- Raise the profile and understanding of tourism with decision makers, the media, those who work in the industry and those considering a career in the industry
- Increase awareness amongst consumers including local residents who can discover the delights on their doorstep and visitors from further afield who can experience England, its variety, accessibility and value.
- Provide a national framework for local destinations, businesses and organisations to use to build their own marketing and PR campaigns
For more information contact:
Hayley Dann, Head of Income Generation and PR
+44 (0) 844 272 1271