A Wimbledon singer has completed an epic Wild Ride cycle challenge across Zambia.
Mezzo-soprano, Laura Wright, was one of four conservation ambassadors who pedalled over 400km across the African country.
They were raising funds and awareness for the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.
Laura was moved by her visit to the Elephant Orphanage Project. © David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
The team raised almost £25,000, which will go toward the charity’s work in protecting endangered species in Africa.
While in Zambia, Laura sang and danced with local children, visited an elephant orphanage project and wildlife anti-poaching unit. She also met with community groups and camped under the stars in the bush.
Laura said: “It has just been one of the most incredible life changing and eye-opening experiences for me.
“It was very challenging – hot in the day and freezing at night and the terrain was tough. We were cycling on dusty, sandy roads, with big potholes – there’d be a bushfire to your right, a wild elephant to your left and snake in the middle! So that was a challenge, as well as the long distances.
“I sang Amazing Grace with the children and The Lion Sleeps Tonight, with a few dance moves thrown in, which went down well, then finished off with some sporting anthems – it was lovely to share our cultures and it was an amazing experience.”
The team suffered broken chains and gears along the way. © David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
Laura was born in Framlingham but now lives in Wimbledon with her fiancé and Wild Ride team mate Harry Rowland.
She is best known as the “Nation’s Sporting Soprano” for her association with some of the top sporting events held in the UK, from The Grand National, Ascot, cricket, The Grand Prix and The Rugby League, to her role as the first ever official singer for the England Rugby team, performing at their home games in Twickenham.
Chaperoned by local wildlife rangers, the Wild Ride team cycled around Zambia’s Kafue National Park to the famous Victoria Falls at Livingstone, calling in at projects supported by David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) along the way. These included the Elephant Orphanage Project and specialist wildlife anti-poaching run by DSWF’s project partners Game Rangers International (GRI).
The team cycled more than 400km across Zambia.© David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation is a highly effective wildlife conservation charity based in Shalford, near Guildford, founded by the late wildlife artist and conservationist David Shepherd CBE FRSA, who had a passion for Zambia.
The funds raised by the Wild Ride team will be used to fund anti-poaching and park protection/rescue work, species rehabilitation and release, as well as community education.
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