Hundreds of toddlers are expected to dress up as animals and take part in a colourful procession around Dudley Zoo next week.

The annual Barnardo’s Big Toddle is the charity’s largest sponsored walk in the UK and is due to take place on Tuesday June 11th.

This year’s theme is ‘animals’, with under-5s encouraged to wear their favourite costumes and paint their faces. Last year’s event attracted more than 700 children over two days. This year all of the fun will be packed into one day instead. Barnardo’s regional fundraiser, Julie Kemp, said:

“The Big Toddle is our biggest and best fundraising event for under-5s, and we’re delighted that Dudley Zoo has kindly agreed to host it again this year.

“Nurseries, playgroups, childminders and parents are welcome to organise their own events throughout the summer, especially during Big Toddle Week from June 24-30, but the one at Dudley Zoo is the biggest in the country.

“It’s a fantastic venue and we’re looking forward to seeing hundreds of happy faces, raising thousands of pounds to continue our life-changing work.”
 
Gates open at 10am, with children welcomed by entertainers before a fun warm-up at 10.45am and the start of the walk around the grounds at 11am. Medals and free refreshments will be available for registered children as they cross the finishing line. Dudley Zoo manager Matt Lewis added:

We’re delighted once again to team up with Barnardo’s and support the incredible work they do in giving children the best start in life.” 
 
Last year Barnardo’s supported more than 301,000 children, young parents and carers through more than a thousand services across the UK. For more information, visit barnardos.org.uk.