Creations of giraffes, monkeys, pandas and people even people dressing up as mermaids could be seen.

The Hunts Post: Debi Sheridan and her daughter PICTURE: Debi SheridanDebi Sheridan and her daughter PICTURE: Debi Sheridan (Image: Archant)

Last weekend, July 11 and July 12, people from the St Neots community got together to create a pop-up zoo, to raise money for ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.

Creations of giraffes, monkeys, pandas and people even people dressing up as mermaids could be seen, as people taking part followed the trail in St Neots.

They have raised a total of £2,605 including gift aid and the fund-raising page will remain open until the end of July for people to donate.

Vicky Oxley created the idea of a pop-up zoo after becoming aware that Zoological Society of London, which also owns Whipsnade Zoo, in Bedfordshire, has had no income from visitors since both zoos closed shortly before lockdown.

The Hunts Post: Claire Rawson's son holding a snake at the Pop up Zoo in St Neots PICTURE: Claire RawsonClaire Rawson's son holding a snake at the Pop up Zoo in St Neots PICTURE: Claire Rawson (Image: Archant)

Vicky said: “I am so happy with how well the event went, considering I only started planning it two weeks ago it was a huge success! I posted the idea onto a Facebook group called “The St Neots Community Kindness Group” and it all took off from there.

“We wanted to, try and raise money for Whipsnade and London who are suffering with the huge knock on effect of coronavirus.

“The idea was to set up a pop up zoo around the town with people turning their windows and front gardens into enclosures.

“In the end we had 23 enclosures set up around town and we made a Zoo Safari Trail list for people so they knew what to find and where.

The Hunts Post: A Girraffe made by Claire, Ella and William Rawson. PICTURE: Claire RawsonA Girraffe made by Claire, Ella and William Rawson. PICTURE: Claire Rawson (Image: Archant)

“The enclosures were amazing and people put so much effort into them, if it wasn’t for the huge amount of effort the amazing team went to, this wouldn’t have been possible .

“We had real life bug and snake handling, lizards, tortoises, hens and a real life mermaid.

“It was amazing to see the community come together and join in. Everybody seemed to really enjoy it. I am so grateful to everybody that visited and donated.”

If you would like to donate to Whipsnade Zoo visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TheStNeotsZoo

The Hunts Post: The Rainforest House in St Neots PICTURE: Vicky OxleyThe Rainforest House in St Neots PICTURE: Vicky Oxley (Image: Archant)