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21 August 2008
Young Watch member raises money for wildlife
Mini-beast event attracts locals in Bedfordshire village
Enthusiastic young Wildlife Watch member, Dennis Bowes, has raised £46.46 for The Wildlife Trust, by organising an event for everyone in his village to meet his new pet, 'Milly', a giant African millepede, on Sunday 6 July.
'Meet Milly Day' was organised by Dennis, aged 7, with the help of his two friends, Sophie and Cameron, at the village hall in Houghton Conquest in Bedfordshire. The event consisted of a pocket-money stall selling bug key rings, pens, and glow-in-the-dark bugs; a bug habitat display; ‘bug’ colouring-books; insect information books and sheets; a raffle; refreshments with home-made ‘bug’ cakes; and Dennis's growing collection of insects. Dennis also gave a talk about giant African millepedes, followed by a question time.
Dennis, an avid ‘mini-beast’ and wildlife fan, decided to organise the event after acquiring his new pet, Milly, but he had already started a millipede and bug club at Houghton Conquest Lower School, encouraging many other of his fellow pupils to take an interest in mini-beasts. When he decided to organise the event, he recruited the help of his classmates, who created posters and leaflets for the event. Many of them also attended the event, some even bringing their own bugs with them!
The Wildlife Trust is immensely grateful to Dennis, Sophie and Cameron, who agreed that any money raised should go to The Wildlife Trust due to the importance of local wildlife, and its need for protection.