‘Going bats for wildlife’: Hampstead couple, both 90, are walking on the Heath every day to raise £1m for Born Free’s campaign to abolish wet markets

A pair of Hampstead nonagenarians are hoping to channel Captain Tom Moore and raise £1m by walking a two kilometre circuit around the Heath every day for two months.

Fundraising nonagenarians Angela and Martin Humphery. Picture: Angela Humphery - Credit: Archant

Stalwart animal campaigner Angela Humphery and husband Martin – vice-president of the Heath and Hampstead Society – are hoping to channel Captain Tom Moore and raise the money for the charity Born Free’s campaign to abolish so-called ‘wet markets’ which trade in animals.

These markets have been linked to the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China.

Angela, who has spent decades campaigning for animal rights around the world, told this newspaper: “We are going bats for wildlife to support Born Free’s campaign to shut down wet markets around the world.

“We are walking on the Heath for an hour, staying away from other people. We want to raise £1m.”

The couple’s exercise is made more important as Martin is recovering from open-heart surgery and has been told to walk regularly by his doctors.

Their campaign has so far garnered support from Born Free’s founder Virgina McKenna and outspoken animal rights activist Ricky Gervais.

Angela and Martin have so far raised £4,410. To donate to their fundraiser see justgiving.com/fundraising/goingbats