Friends of the Fens

 

Back in June, we introduced you to one of our new trainees – Henry Day.

Henry is proving to be an excellent trainee who brings with him a passion for birding, and all things nature related.
As a Junior Wildlife Ambassador for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust, and with a talent for using social media, Henry frequently posts on his birding adventures, his conservation work and numerous surveys.

In 2025 Henry wanted to do something to support three organizations that maintain nature reserves where he had spent many happy hours, The Beds, Cambs and Northants Wildlife Trust https://www.wildlifebcn.org/ The RSPB https://www.rspb.org.uk/ and The National Trust https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/countryside-woodland/visit-our-nature-reserves

Along with his friend James Anker an idea was formed that would become known as The Fenathlon.
This would be a one-day event starting at Woodwalton Fen and cycling 21km to St Ives quayside. They would then Kayak 12.3km from the quayside to Ouse Fen, along the River Great Ouse. Finally, they would walk from Ouse Fen to Wicken Fen, 24.6km, taking in The Rothschild Way and the banks of the River Great Ouse.

Although this undertaking was done in 2025, raising £5,300 for the three organizations, it wasn’t until this year that Henry and James were nominated for the BBC Make A Difference Awards.
We learnt recently that Henry and James had received a ‘Highly Commended’ award in the Young Hero Category.

                                               

Well done to you both and keep up your inspirational work.

 

Full details of the route taken can be found at
https://www.naturetastichenry.com/post/introducing-the-fenathlon

Henry and James’s reflections on The Fenathlon can be found at https://www.naturetastichenry.com/post/a-fentastic-journey

Picture reproduced with parental consent.