LYNNE’S ‘TILE FOR A TIGER’ DOLL’S HOUSE
A disabled woman from Blackpool has spent two months building a doll’s house to donate to Blackpool Zoo for its 2012 fundraising efforts.
Lynne Gorrie,who has very limited use of the right side of her body, has designed and built the delightful miniature wooden home and is hoping to raise money to save animals in South East Asia.
During half term week visitors are being asked to buy one of the 550 roof tiles for just £1 to be in with a chance of winning the doll’s house and also having it decorated to suit their taste.
The competition, which has been called ‘Tile for a Tiger, will raise money for the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2012 campaign for South East Asian Mammals, which Blackpool Zoo is supporting.
Lynne, who is 55, suffered a brain haemorrhage in 1983 but refuses to let her disability get in the way of her life and passion for animals.
Last year she raised more than £1000 for 21st Century Tiger, which supports projects to help save tigers across the world, by holding charity events; she even had all her hair shaved off and tiger stripes dyed onto her head!
As an amateur photographer Lynne spends her time at the zoo taking stunning shots of the animals, including her favourite, Zambar the Amur tiger.
Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Co-ordinator at Blackpool Zoo, said: “Lynne is a real celebrity at Blackpool Zoo and everyone lights up when they see her.
“She has done so much fundraising for our various charities and many of her striking photographs have been used on our website and in our brochures and leaflets.
“The doll’s house is absolutely fantastic and when she brought it in I had the idea of selling each of the individual tiles. Lynne agreed on the spot and we are expecting the tiles to sell fast!”
Lynne said: “I am Blackpool Zoo’s biggest fan and love going to visit the animals and chatting to the staff.
“I feel like I am part of the family at the zoo and fundraising gives me something to focus on and strive for.
“I never let my disability get me down and it doesn’t stop me doing what I want. I was lucky enough to survive my brain haemorrhage so I make sure I live my life to the full by doing what I enjoy.”
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Pictures show: Lynne after her tiger makeover last year, her doll's house and a selection of her photography
More information about Blackpool Zoo
A bumper year of momentous first time births, huge investment and a hat-trick of awards saw Blackpool Zoo’s visitor numbers hit new record heights in 2010.
An investment of over £1million during the year led to the grand opening of the UK’s biggest sea lion pool, which completes the zoo’s Active Oceans attraction, a brand new Wallaby Walkabout and a redeveloped home for the zoo’s resident Aardvarks Laurel and Arnie.
Blackpool Zoo won three prestigious awards during 2010. Visit Blackpool crowned Blackpool Zoo its Visitor Attraction of the Year, The Be Inspired Business Awards hailed it Tourism Business of the Year and it was also voted Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards.
Blackpool Zoo is owned by ParquesReunidos, the second largest European leisure parks operator and a leading world-wide player. The zoo is home to over 1,500 mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates set amidst thirty-two acres of mature woodland and lakes.
The zoo’s signature animals include elephants, giraffes, big cats, gorillas, orang-utans, sea lions, primates, zebras and kangaroos. It is open every day of the year, apart from Christmas Day, from 10am.
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