Boy, 9, to hike 50km to help fund hedgehog incubator

A boy from Guildford is hiking 50km (31 miles) on Saturday to raise money for a new hedgehog incubator.

Orran, nine, aims to hike across the Surrey Hills with his dad in aid of the Wildlife Aid Foundation, a Leatherhead-based charity that recues and rehabilitates hedgehogs and other British wildlife.

Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, Orran said he loved hedgehogs as they're "so cute and yet just fascinating creatures".

He acknowledged that the planned distance was "a long way" but believes he can do it as "we have quite a lot of snacks, especially Oreos".

"It'll take me somewhere around 14 hours because it'll be up and down on the muddy paths," he added.

In 2020, hedgehogs were put on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list as vulnerable to extinction in Great Britain.

"We do need to help our hedgehogs," Orran said.

The pair plan to begin their walk at Newlands Corner and hike up the Surrey Hills from there.

The £832 target has already been met on the fundraisers' JustGiving page.

Orran's dad, David, said: "I've never walked 50km, so it's a first for me as well.

"Orran didn't want an easy walk," he added.

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