It’s Happy Monkeys with Wild Futures and its Big Monkey Mile!

Wild Futures, the leading primate welfare charity that runs the only accredited Monkey Sanctuary in Europe, is proud to announce that company Happy Monkey Smoothies has come on board to sponsor a new fundraising event this summer: The Big Monkey Mile.

The charity has launched The Big Monkey Mile to raise vital funds.  It is a brand new fun run event which will be held in Plymouth at the city’s main central park on Sunday 4th August 2013.  All participants are encouraged to sport monkey-themed fancy dress to take part in the event.  Each runner will receive a Big Monkey Mile medal upon completing the one mile course and can then relax for the afternoon; enjoying a well-deserved picnic.  As well as sponsoring the event, Happy Monkey Smoothies will be providing delicious smoothie drinks for all participants in their picnic.

Wild Futures is a charity with almost 50 years experience as a leader of primate welfare, environmental education and sustainable practice. The charity’s current largest project is The Monkey Sanctuary in Cornwall; a rescue and rehabilitation centre for ex-pet monkeys.  Wild Futures is working hard towards the day when all monkeys are free from the threat of the pet trade, free from malnutrition, mental, physical and emotional suffering.  Many of the monkeys that are rescued suffer from severe physical and mental issues such as diabetes and self harming, following their time kept as pets.

The Monkey Sanctuary currently provides a home for 37 monkeys and receives regular calls to take in more.  Wild Futures estimates with the RSPCA that there are at least 5,000 monkeys being kept as pets in the UK and evidence suggests that the trade is increasing.  The charity is in desperate need of funds to be able to expand its current site to rescue more monkeys.

Hayley Dann, Head of Income Generation and PR at Wild Futures states: “We are over the moon that the fun and supportive company Happy Monkey Smoothies has come on board to sponsor our Big Monkey Mile event.  The Wild Futures team works tirelessly to ensure a high standard of care for all our rescued monkeys, many who suffer greatly from their past experiences as pets.  We hope that lots of people take part in our brand new event, the Big Monkey Mile because with the support from the general public and Happy Monkey Smoothies, this exciting fundraiser will mean we can save more monkeys and make them happy monkeys!”

Greg Boyle, Managing Director at Happy Monkey Smoothies states: “We are excited to be sponsoring the Big Monkey Mile and getting involved with such a fun, family event. The team at Wild Futures do a truly wonderful job in the rescue and protection of primates from all around the planet and Happy Monkey Smoothies are delighted to be able to support such a great cause and help ensure there continues to be many more happy monkeys in the world!”

Registrations for the Big Monkey Mile are now open and the first 50 people to register for the event will be entered into a prize draw to win a FREE children’s ‘Keeper for a Day’ experience at The Monkey Sanctuary worth £70! Participants can sign up online at www.wildfutures.org/big-monkey-mile or contact the fundraising team to pay by card over the phone (0844 272 1271).