Fundraiser hopes to raise £30,000 for Dunwich Heath restoration
It follows a wildfire that's burnt over 150 hectares of land
A special fundraising event featuring best-selling author and illustrator Charlie Mackesy is being held in Suffolk next week to help restore land devastated by the Dunwich Heath wildfire.
The fire started last Wednesday (29th of July) and was declared a Major Incident, with over 100 firefighters attending from across the country. Ten days later, firefighters were still on scene tackling hotspots, supported by National Resilience assets. Over 150 hectares of protected heathland across two nature reserves have been burnt.
"Just heartbroken at the devastation"
Drawings and Stories, hosted by Thorington Theatre on Thursday 13 August, will raise money for restoration work at the Heath and RSPB Minsmere.
The event will feature live drawing and storytelling by The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse creator Charlie Mackesy, alongside talks about the wildfire's impact from RSPB's Adam Rowlands. Organisers say all money raised will be spent locally on restoration work.
Lindy O'Hare, owner and founder of Thorington Theatre, said the decision to organise the fundraiser came within days of the fire.
"It's been so devastating and locally has had such an enormous impact, and one is just heartbroken at the devastation of that very special and rare environment," she said.
Ms O'Hare said she had previously worked with Charlie Mackesy on charity performances and, after discussing plans for a future event, suggested raising money for the wildfire recovery instead.
"We must do it now," she recalled him saying, leading to the event being organised in less than two weeks.
The wildfire started on RSPB Minsmere on and spread across neighbouring National Trust land at Dunwich Heath, destroying habitat used by species including Dartford warblers, woodlarks, nightjars, stone curlews, adders and silver-studded blue butterflies.
"It feels personal"
Ms O'Hare said the response from the public had been overwhelming, with tickets selling rapidly.
"People are wanting to help and wanting to do something, and this is a good, fun way to do so and to learn more about," she said.
She added that the fire had felt deeply personal because of its proximity to the theatre.
"It was in your own back garden kind of thing. That's how it felt to me... this one is close to home, and that's why it feels personal.
Fundraising
Organisers hope the event could raise around £30,000 if both performances sell out, with additional money expected through raffles and donations.
Ms O'Hare said discussions with the RSPB were continuing over how the money would be shared, with funds expected to support both RSPB Minsmere and the National Trust, which jointly manage neighbouring parts of the heath.
"They work very closely with the National Trust... one couldn't do without the other," she said.
The National Trust is aiming to raise £500,000 towards the recovery of Dunwich Heath, while the RSPB is also fundraising to restore affected habitats at Minsmere.
As well as supporting recovery, Ms O'Hare hopes the event will help people understand more about the area's wildlife and the growing risks posed by extreme weather.
"I just want to say thank you again, overwhelmed by the generosity and the pulling together of helping to this relief fund," she said.
The afternoon performance is aimed at families, while an evening show will also be livestreamed to allow people to donate remotely. Both events will include live drawing and storytelling from Charlie Mackesy, with raffles, signed books and artwork helping to raise additional funds. The RSPB says proceeds will be spent locally on restoring habitats damaged by the wildfire.