From 30th March to 30th April, little legs across the country will be taking big steps for wildlife in The Hedgehog Walk - a fun and family-friendly fundraising challenge in partnership with Timmy Time of the multi-award-winning studio Aardman.

On a mission to create safer spaces for hedgehogs to thrive, this annual challenge invites thousands of individuals, families, schools, clubs and learning groups to walk, wheel, crawl or even roller skate 3km with Timmy (the littlest lamb in Shaun the Sheep’s flock) and friends - the same distance a hedgehog wanders in a single night. 

The challenge helps to raise vital funds for nature and highlights how everyone can help wildlife, including hedgehogs, to thrive.

With hedgehog numbers having fallen by 30% in just over 10 years, there are now thought to be fewer than one million left in the UK. As the challenge takes place during the same time hedgehogs start to come out of hibernation, those taking part can really help to make a difference and raise awareness of hedgehogs’ plight. 

Alex Reynolds, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Education Officer says:

“Get your hoglets out walking for wildlife this spring with the Hedgehog Walk. So, whether you’re toddling through the park with Timmy, marching through the woods with Apricot, Timmy’s prickly friend, or counting laps in the playground with Bumpy the little green caterpillar, every step with Timmy and friends will help to build a better future for wildlife.”

Rachael Peacock, head of brand marketing at Aardman, the creators of Timmy Time, says: 

“We’re delighted to return with The Wildlife Trusts for another Hedgehog Walk, with Timmy and Apricot leading the way once more. It’s a brilliant opportunity for families to enjoy the outdoors together, learn about the wildlife around them, and take part in something that makes a real difference.”

Sign up at wildlifetrusts.org/hedgehog-walk and receive a downloadable activity pack full of engaging resources such as posters, activity sheets, fact sheets and tracking timelines to help mark the 3km milestone. 

There will also be information on how to care for the natural world and fundraise for the wildlife in this region.

In addition to walking, the wildlife charity has issued five pieces of guidance on how member of the public can help hedgehogs:

• Create hedgehog highways | Hedgehogs need to be able to roam far and wide. Get together with your neighbours and cut a 13cm x 13cm hole in your fence or dig a channel beneath your garden boundaries to connect your gardens.
• Make water safe | Hedgehogs are great swimmers but can struggle to climb out of steep-sided ponds. Provide a ramp or create shallow areas at the edge so they can scramble out.
• Provide nesting sites | Logs, leaf piles, wilderness areas and purpose-built hedgehog homes make great places for spikey friends to nest and hibernate.
• Grow a variety of plants | Attract plenty of natural hedgehog food by keeping your garden diverse. Ponds, log piles, hedges and a wide variety of plant types make the perfect habitats.
• Avoid the use of pesticides | Ditch the slug pellets, as they can harm hedgehogs. Thankfully, hedgehogs are natural pest controllers and need a varied supply of invertebrate prey to stay healthy.