News Release 22-12-2008

Red Funnel raise funds for Red Squirrels

Chris Packham was joined today by James Cooper, Managing Director, Red Funnel and a giant Red Squirrel at the Red Funnel Ferry terminal in Southampton to present a cheque for £2,500 to Helen Butler from The Red Squirrel Trust, and Wight Squirrel Project.

The sum is a combination of donations from the public and Red Funnel, collected between Red Squirrel Week in October (4th – 12th) and December. Red Funnel have been campaigning hard to raise awareness of the rare Red Squirrel and consequently would like to thank all customers who kindly donated online, through food and drink sales and collections onboard the ferries.

Chris Packham, who has dedicated much of his life to filming, photographing and working to conserve wildlife in the UK, was delighted to be collaborating with Red Funnel in helping to protect and promote Red Squirrels and their habitats.

The Isle of Wight is one of the few places in the UK where Red Squirrels still thrive. The Solent, the stretch of water that separates the Isle of Wight from the mainland, helps keep out the American Grey Squirrel which not only outcompetes the Red Squirrel, but also carries the Squirrelpox virus which is fatal to Red Squirrels.

As a local lad from Southampton, Chris understands the importance of preserving the Isle of Wight as a grey squirrel-free zone. Chris says “As the Isle of Wight is one of the few places in the UK where the red squirrel population is thriving, I’m delighted to be working with Red Funnel to raise awareness and aid conservation of these beautiful creatures”.