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Campaign to save Chester Zoo raises monthly target of £1.6m in just over 24 hours

Amazing!

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Chester Zoo

In case you missed the news, the government has ordered Chester Zoo to stay closed indefinitely, throwing the future of the much-loved zoo into doubt.

To help save the zoo from closure, a fundraising campaign was launched and as we reported yesterday it had raised more than £800,000 in less than a day.

Things haven’t slowed down either, and today we’re happy to report that the Save Our Zoo campaign has raised its monthly target of £1.6m in just over 24 hours – at the time of writing, the total stands at £1,651,254.

Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo is the UK’s biggest and most popular charity zoo that provides conservation to many endangered species.

Throughout lockdown, the zoo has taken to social media to provide virtual days around the zoo. The virtual days lasted for hours at a time and included an array of animals, educational pieces and the chance to watch feedings.

The zoo took to its Facebook again this week, but this time with a message titled ‘Save Our Zoo’.

The post revealed that the staff had received the devastating news that they would have to remain closed despite putting safety measures in place and ensuring they are COVID secure.

The statement says: “We’ve tried to stay positive during this pandemic, we’ve planned for our opening, we’ve cut no corners in terms of care for our animals and commitment to our conservation work, we’ve looked forward to welcoming You back soon.

“But we have now received the devastating news that the government has ordered us to ‘stay closed indefinitely’ despite being ‘COVID secure’ and able to safely manage numbers and social distancing.

“While other ticketed gardens open this week our 128 acres must stay closed. This has thrown the future of the zoo into doubt.”

Chester Zoo

The zoo recently released pictures of the new safety measures it had put in place, hoping it would be able to reopen the doors in July.

The statement addresses the issue of the public ‘piling onto’ beauty spots where there is ‘no way of controlling numbers’, stating that the zoo is able to guarantee people keep socially distanced and can easily control numbers.

The charity now needs to raise £1.6m a month to save it.

Chester Zoo

In an update yesterday, council environmental health officers have given Chester Zoo the green light to reopen with safeguards in place, now the zoo just needs the government to grant permission.

Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Cllr Louise Gittins said in a statement: “The council’s environmental health officers have been involved in Chester Zoo’s preparations for a safe opening and we are confident that the measures being taken will enable the zoo to operate safely, with significant public health measures in place.

“We fully support the campaign launched today by Chester Zoo, and call on government to apply more consistency and evidence in its plans for safe re-opening, with the support of local public health teams.”

The zoo is urging people to make a donation here, adopt an animal from your favourite species here, become a member of the zoo here, or if you already do, keep paying your membership fees.

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Man arrested in connection with death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey

He has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, police say

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@georgegilbey / Instagram

A man has been arrested in connection to the death of television personality George Gilbey who died after suffering a fall at work.

Essex Police said it was called to an incident at a road in Shoebury, near Southend-on-Sea, following a report that a man had fallen from a height while at work.

An air ambulance was in attendance but sadly, the 40-year-old died at the scene.

@georgegilbey / Instagram

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning (March 27), during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury.

“The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene. We will continue liaising with partners including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A cordon remains in place at the scene.”

Gilbey, a self-employed electricain, starred in eight series of Channel 4’s Gogglebox  alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry, who passed away at the age of 71 in 2021. Gilbey also Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 in 2014, finishing fourth.

Channel 4 Gogglebox shared a statement on its official X account, saying: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time.”

Tributes from friends and fans have been pouring in online, as one person said: “Rest in peace George, thanks for all the laughs you gave me over the years. Bet Pete’s waiting for you with a pint xxx.”

Another wrote: “Thinking of your family. I’m so sorry to your mum especially. so much grief to deal with in such a short time the world can be so cruel.”

Celebrities have also been sharing tributes online after hearing the tragic news.

EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook shared a photo of Gilbey and his mum on Instagram, and wrote beside it: “Goodnight, my darling friend George. I’m absolutely gutted.”

In a post on X, former Geordie Shore star Ricci Guarnaccio, and Celebrity Big Brother co-star, wrote: “Breaks my (heart) but @georgegilbey you are well and truely going to be missed my friend. Always lit up the room, cared for others & the memories we made I’ll cherish for ever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you ma boiii! Love you G.”

And, Simon Minty wrote on Instagram: “So sorry to hear this. I really enjoyed watching George. Condolences to Linda and family.” 

In the latest update, police said the arrested man was in his 40s and from the Witham area of Essex, and that further updates would be announced ‘proactively’. The force said he was arrested on ‘suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter’.

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Police issue urgent appeal to find missing man from Tameside

Have you seen David?

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Greater Manchester Police

Greater Manchester Police has issued an urgent appeal to help find a man who was last seen in Tameside in the early hours of yesterday.

David, 40, was last seen on Sands Walk, Hyde, at around 12am on Wednesday March 27th.

He is believed to still have his mobile phone on him and to be somewhere in the Greater Manchester area, police say.

David is described as a white male, around 6 ft 2 ins tall, of slim build and a bald head with red facial hair. He also has tattoos on his arms and legs.

He was last seen wearing jeans, a black t-shirt and a black hoodie.

Anyone who has seen David or who may have any information about his whereabouts is urged to contact GMP on 0161 856 9325.

 

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Gogglebox star George Gilbey dies after fall from height at age 40

RIP George

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@georgegilbey / Instagram

Television personality George Gilbey who starred on Gogglebox has died after suffering a fall at work.

Essex Police said it was called to an incident at a road in Shoebury, near Southend-on-Sea, following a report that a man had fallen from a height while at work.

An air ambulance was in attendance but sadly, the 40-year-old died at the scene.

@georgegilbey / Instagram

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning (March 27), during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury.

“The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene. We will continue liaising with partners including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A cordon remains in place at the scene.”

Gilbey starred in eight series of Channel 4’s Gogglebox  alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry, who passed away at the age of 71 in 2021. Gilbey also Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 in 2014, finishing fourth.

Channel 4 Gogglebox shared a statement on its official X account, saying: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time.”

Tributes from friends and fans have been pouring in online, as one person said: “Rest in peace George, thanks for all the laughs you gave me over the years. Bet Pete’s waiting for you with a pint xxx.”

Another wrote: “Thinking of your family. I’m so sorry to your mum especially. so much grief to deal with in such a short time the world can be so cruel.”

Celebrities have also been sharing tributes online after hearing the tragic news.

EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook shared a photo of Gilbey and his mum on Instagram, and wrote beside it: “Goodnight, my darling friend George. I’m absolutely gutted.”

In a post on X, former Geordie Shore star Ricci Guarnaccio, and Celebrity Big Brother co-star, wrote: “Breaks my (heart) but @georgegilbey you are well and truely going to be missed my friend. Always lit up the room, cared for others & the memories we made I’ll cherish for ever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you ma boiii! Love you G.”

And, Simon Minty wrote on Instagram: “So sorry to hear this. I really enjoyed watching George. Condolences to Linda and family.” 

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