People power – three ways our community raised funds for nature in 2025

When it comes to saving nature, it’s important to remember that you’re not doing it alone. Like a single Starling joining a murmuration, lots of individual efforts can add up to something extraordinary.

We’re lucky to have a community of people, all ready to help save nature in the best ways they know how. Today, we’d like you to meet some of our community fundraisers who’ve taken action over the past year. They’re showing you how they used their skills – and even learnt new ones – to make a real difference for nature.

Three modes of transport, two young nature enthusiasts and one huge challenge? Welcome to Henry and James ‘fenathlon’. Earlier this year, they embarked on an epic adventure, trekking 36 miles through three different nature reserves in just one day! 

“I've always wanted to walk the Rothschild Way,” says Henry, “which is a 39 mile walk that links two reserves, Woodwalton Fen and Wicken Fen via Ouse Fen. This would be too long for me to do in one day. So, to speed up we added a cycle leg, a kayak leg and called it the Fenathlon.” 
 
The fens are a vast expanse of marshland in the east of England. While many of the wetlands have historical been reclaimed for agriculture and development, conservation organisations are working in partnership across this landscape to create thriving habitats for Bitterns, Cranes and more wetland wildlife. 
 
“Fens have always been my happy place. I volunteer at the Great Fen, and every day I love them more and more.” 
 
The pair were inspired by RSPB Ambassador Indy Kiemel Greene and Katie Monk, who walked from Land’s End to John O’Groats in a 107-day challenge to raise money for the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. But what kept the boys motivated throughout their very own epic endeavour? Wildlife, of course. 

“As we reached the end, there was a Barn Owl quartering over a field next to us. We stopped and watched it, and that was so special as we were nearly at the end, and it gave us that last jet of energy we needed. The real highlight was crossing the finish line and knowing we’d raised so much money for charity.” 

Henry and James’ 13-hour feat raised £5,300 for nature – split between three charities, the RSPB, National Trust and the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs & Northants.

“I do Big Garden Birdwatch every year. After seeing the decline over the recent years of the bird populations, I wanted to take action. At first, I thought – what can one person do to help them? but by the end of the project I could see it was possible to make a big difference.” 

Natasha Brown is a multimedia artist, currently studying Art and Design. Earlier this year, she decided to combine her love of sculpture and nature to create a piece that would help raise awareness and funds for the RSPB. Using recycled materials, she built over 200 nestboxes to create an award-winning, large-scale community sculpture.  

“I also wanted create homes for the birds for the local community. They’ll be donated to schools after the exhibition. I didn’t want it to just be an idea; I wanted to make an actual change as well.” 

Formerly a childminder, Natasha only started her career as an artist in September 2023. Yet she’s already flying high, winning the Adult Learning Award for West Yorkshire, and an award at her college. She received both awards on the same night – a double whammy, raising awareness for declining species at both presentation events. 
 
“It's been so nice to help such an amazing cause – the RSPB need all the help we can get and if we work together, we can help the birds. Whether it’s a simple thing of buying a pin badge or feeding the birds at home in your garden. I think raising money for the RSPB also created more awareness on the subject and therefore it gets more people involved with helping – and they need all the help they can get!” 

“I spent four weeks at Portmore Lough and two weeks on Rathlin Ireland. Whilst I was out there, I took my bike with me and saw plenty of the island of Ireland mostly the north, and parts of the Wild Atlantic Way.” 

After being made redundant, Matt contacted the RSPB to see if he could do some volunteering while he was between work. RSPB Portmore Lough nature reserve is a mosaic of wetland habitat – grassland, reedbed and fen – home to Marsh and Hen Harriers, and an abundance of overwintering ducks and geese. Rathlin Island is a seabird paradise, facing threats from non-native, invasive predators. 

“Volunteers came from a variety of backgrounds and ages, but we all had a common interest. It was interesting to see how that although the focus is on birds, this only works if the whole food chain is working - so essentially, it’s a lot broader set of conservation that may first appear. I thought I’d raise some money to help the RSPB as I had such a good time and saw the work the RSPB had done.” 

To raise funds, Matt committed to an epic challenge: “I decided to have a go at Chase the Sun which is a ride on the longest day of the year from Belfast to Enniscrone Beach; roughly 340km, starting at sunrise on the longest day.  

The route took Matt through the Sperrin Mountains and County Fermanagh, areas he hadn’t explored much previously.  The people and wildlife he encountered along the way were highlights of the trip – with one man even offering up his own spare wheel when Matt’s bike broke.   

“It really summed up the generosity of the people of Ireland. Another good thing about cycling is that you are a lot quieter than a car, and quicker than walking so you end up a lot closer to nature. On one of my training rides around Cusheden, I got face to face with what I thought was a Corncrake and similar with birds of prey.” 

Thanks to Matt’s admirable efforts and sense of adventure, he raised a grand total of £800 to help save nature. We couldn’t do the work we do without people like him. 

Feeling inspired?
 
Been inspired by the stories you’ve seen today? Right now, one in six species are at risk of disappearing from Great Britain, and 12% of species are facing extinction from Northern Ireland. Nature really needs people like you. 
 
Whether you’ve got a wonderful talent or whether you’d like to take on a wild new challenge, your actions can make a real difference for nature. Our supportive team are on hand to help you set-up and promote fundraiser.

Visit our fundraising webpage or contact our team at  communityfundraising@rspb.org.uk - we’d love to hear from you. 

Every single action – no matter how big or small – helps nature soar.