As well as celebrating these extraordinary great apes on 19^th August, International Orangutan Day, it’s important to raise awareness about the need to raise funds to support the challenges facing one of our closest animal relatives. This day highlights the urgent need to protect these remarkable creatures and their rapidly disappearing habitats. But what can we do to help?

As well as fundraising, doing good for others brings a profound sense of fulfilment and joy that goes beyond financial contributions. The feel-good factor of helping others reinforces a sense of purpose and community, reminding us that our actions, no matter how small, can lead to positive change.

But why does doing good boost health and wellbeing? Helping others provides bursts of euphoria called “the helper’s high” from dopamine and endorphins, which are released in the brain and increase immunity antibodies, so doing good is officially good for you.

We have some great opportunities for you to boost your wellbeing by embracing the feel-good factor with our fundraising events, The Rainforest Run on 22^nd September or our Charity Abseil on 5^th October.

On-screen, Steven Cree is known for his extensive range of roles across television, film, and stage, as Ian Murray in the popular worldwide hit Outlander and blockbusters such as Terminator: Dark Fate. But beyond the backlot, Steven is a well-respected figure in the entertainment industry and among environmental advocates for his support of conservation initiatives. Following his successful Sky Dive for International Animal Rescue in 2023, and along with our IAR Costa Rica Team and many others across the UK, Steven is now lacing up his running shoes for a new and meaningful challenge and will head up ‘Team Orangutan’ and participate in The Rainforest Run.

Talking about the event, Steven said:

“I am proud to be running in support of International Animal Rescue. Not only do they save animals from suffering, but they also rehabilitate and release them back into the wild and work to protect their precious natural habitats. Their vision is a world where humans and animals coexist in sustainable ecosystems. Their mission is to build awareness and implement effective systems such that habitats and animals are protected.”

When asked about his ‘why’ for participating in the Rainforest Run, Steven said:

“The Rainforest Run is a brilliant way for anyone to start running for a good cause, as participants can run, jog, or walk a 5k or 10k distance, all while raising vital funds. Together, we can make a difference. It’s a £10/$13 sign-up fee, and you can run as little or as far as you like, making it a brilliant event for all the family. And, as a virtual run, you can run where and when it suits you. The feel-good factor you’ll get from taking part is worth the small sign-up fee alone,” added Steven You can sponsor Steven and Team Orangutan here https://www.justgiving.com/team/or

Along with the Rainforest Run, in October, adventurers will have the unique opportunity to abseil 85 meters down Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower.

As we celebrate the feelgood factor of fundraising for International Orangutan Day, it’s good to remember that orangutans share an incredible 97% of their DNA with humans, earning them the name “orangutan,” which means “forest person” in Malay—a reflection of their human-like qualities. As the largest tree-dwelling mammals, their arm span can reach up to seven feet.

Participating in fundraising efforts on this day not only contributes to their conservation but also provides a rewarding feel-good factor, knowing that you’re directly helping to preserve these incredible creatures and their homes for future generations.

For more information about our Feel Good Factor Fundraising Events and how you can participate, visit https://bit.ly/FeelGoodFundraisingForIAR

EVER considered detouring en route to your holiday?

Lesser-known regions close to popular destinations are well worth a visit.

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And they are the next hottest trend, according to travel firm Expedia’s Unpack 2025 report on where holidaymakers want to go next year.

We’re all about getting more bang for our buck when it comes to getaways.

So if you’re travelling to one of these cities in 2025, why not add on a detour?

Sophie Swietochowski shares her top picks.

Destination: Cancun, Mexico
Detour: Cozumel

IF you are visiting Cancun, it would feel almost criminal not to hop over to Cozumel.

This tiny island just off Playa del Carmen has a rich biodiversity, home to tropical plants and white sands, while its surrounding waters are teeming with coral reefs and colourful fish.

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The best place to see starfish is Playa El Cielo, where the crystal clear waters mean the sea creatures are easy to spot.

Regular ferries operate from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, with fares from around $17 for the fast, 20-minute ferry.

STAY: The bright and airy Westin Cozumel, with its own beach, is ideal for those wanting to get stuck into the wildlife scene.

It has snorkel gear available to catch some great aquatic sights.

Rooms from £158 per night. See hotels.com.

Destination: Los Angeles, USA
Detour: Santa Barbara

THOSE in the know often say they prefer the laid-back, seaside city of Santa Barbara to the buzz of Los Angeles, on the California coast – that’s partly why the A-listers love it.

Perhaps it’s the more mellow, Hamptons-like atmosphere or the tropical beach sunsets.

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Look out for dolphins on the horizon (you can book a sunset catamaran tour, $65pp, at sbsail.com).

It’s one hour 30 minutes by car from LA, or you can catch a train, which takes more than two hours.

You’ll be sipping local wines from the nearby hills in no time.

STAY: In a quiet patch on West Beach, Brisas Del Mar Inn At The Beach has a Mediterranean vibe, with terracotta terraces surrounded by climbing vines – there are bikes to rent, too.

Rooms cost from £194 per night. See expedia.co.uk.

Destination: Paris, France
Detour: Reims

A 46-MINUTE train ride from Paris’ Gare de L’Est, Reims is often called the city of ­Champagne.

Yet despite the famous fizz’s pricey reputation, you won’t need to splash the cash when you get here.

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Drink in the sights of the ­towering cathedral before ­drinking in the bubbles – the Pommery champagne house has self-guided tours of its ­cellars, along with tastings, for around £22.50 (see ­champagne-booking.com/en).

STAY: The Hotel Continental, a former 19th century mansion, is centrally located and home to a spa with infra-red sauna, bucket showers and massage booths.

Rooms cost from £122 per night. See hotels.com.

Destination: Barcelona, Spain
Detour: Girona

FROM Barcelona, you can jump on the train and venture 40 minutes north to Girona.

The city has become known for the remarkable rise of its football club – but there’s so much more to it than that.

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Its old town is a maze of narrow streets, framed by Roman and Gothic architecture that ooze history.

The same could be said for its 12th century Arabic baths, built in a temple-like structure, that can still be visited today.

This region is famous for its Catalonian cuisine, so sample as much as you can – Txalaka does great tapas, with bites from €5.50.

STAY: The central and chic Bypillow Erba has comfy Scandi-style rooms from £59 per night. See bypillow.com.

Destination: Milan, Italy
Detour: Brescia

WITH its four prominent squares – one Roman, one Medieval, one Renaissance and one Modern – the cultural city of Brescia pairs perfectly with a trip to fashionable Milan.

Sitting at the foot of mountains in northern Italy, just over 30 minutes from Milan by train, Brescia is crammed with fascinating architecture and petite art galleries.

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Swing by one of the quaint bars and order a pirlo, a traditional aperitivo, made of still wine, Campari, sparkling water and a wedge of orange.

STAY: The boutique Locanda Delle Mercanzie was once a medieval palazzo and has buckets of character.

It’s a short walk from landmarks like Piazza della Loggia and Brescia Castle.

Rooms cost from £81 per night. See expedia.co.uk.

Embargoed 22 August 2024 00:01 TUI Group is being urged to end the sale and promotion of tours and activities where captive dolphins are used for entertainment in an open letter signed by celebrities including Alesha Dixon, Bella Ramsey, Deborah Meaden, Evanna Lynch, Gail Porter, Joanna Lumley, Jane Fallon, Mark Watson, Sarah Jane Morris, Richa Moorjani and Rou Reynolds, on behalf of World Animal Protection.

Dolphins are highly intelligent, powerful marine predators that, in their natural environment, swim and hunt across vast swathes of the oceans. Bottlenose dolphins can swim 100km in a day, and some species cover much more.  But confined to tiny, barren, concrete tanks thousands of times smaller than their natural space, exposed to infection and chemicals and often drugged to cope with captivity – they sadly can only swim a few metres at a time in any direction. The anxiety and stress can cause them to self-mutilate and become aggressive – all in the name of entertainment and profit. 

There are over 3000 dolphins held captive across the globe, TUI Group are profiting from the suffering of at least 400 of them at around 25 entertainment venues where they are deprived of almost all their natural behaviours.

Alesha Dixon, singer, author & TV personality, “TUI you are the last major tour operator in the UK selling tickets to dolphin entertainment. Dolphins are not entertainers they are sentient wild animals. Enough is enough. Join the other tour operators and stop profiting from this cruelty.”

Deborah Meaden, businessperson and TV personality, “I really can’t believe in this day and age we still have to point out the cruelty. Do the right thing TUI and do as your competitors have done and stop selling tickets to these cruel and exploitative attractions.”

Evanna Lynch, Actor and World Animal Protection Global Ambassador, “It is truly shameful that TUI is still choosing to take part in such an obviously cruel and outdated practice as captive dolphin ‘entertainment’. TUI it’s time to do the right thing and stop putting profit over animal welfare.”

Richa Moorjani, Actor and World Animal Protection Global Ambassador, “It’s deeply disappointing to see TUI still promoting dolphin performances. These intelligent creatures deserve to live in their natural habitats, not confined for human amusement. It’s time to end this cruelty and make compassionate choices.”

TUI Group are urged to join the ever-increasing movement of travel companies, governments and tourists who are saying no to cruel captive dolphin entertainment, but the travel giant continues to put profit over animal welfare.   

• In March 2024 easyJet holidays announced that they would not sell tickets to any captive wildlife attractions including captive cetacean venues 

• A few days later, Jet2holidays announced that they would stop selling captive dolphin venues 

• Virgin Holidays, Expedia Group, Booking.com and Airbnb have all long since committed to never selling tickets for these cruel and exploitative attractions 

• Canada and France, Brussels and New South Wales have all banned the keeping of whales and dolphins in captivity 

• Dutch travel association ANVR and South Africa’s SATSA state that captive cetacean entertainment is unacceptable in their guidelines for their member organisations  

• Strict regulations in the UK mean there have been no cetaceans in captivity for over 30 years 

Tricia Croasdell, World Animal Protection, CEO said, “The longer that influential companies like TUI Group continue promoting and selling tickets to captive dolphin entertainment, the worse the problem becomes. Selling tickets to such venues means more whales and dolphins are being bred into environments where they will never be able to thrive or carry out their natural behaviours. TUI has said that they know it is controversial and that more of their customers would rather see wild animals in the wild, so why are they stalling on this? The only reason can be profit and it is inexcusable for a multi-million-pound company to put profit before compassion.

“We need to make this the last generation of dolphins in captivity, and we need companies like TUI Group to stop propping up the industry before that can happen.”

Join the movement to call on TUI Group to end the sale and promotion of venues that use dolphins for entertainment, so that we can ensure this is the last generation of dolphins in captivity.   

-Ends-

Notes to Editor

• To read the full letter please click here

• Earlier this month World Animal Protection were joined by 14 other animal welfare organisations in a protest outside TUI Group’s Berlin HQ presenting a combined petition of 350,000 signatures from the general public who see the huge role TUI Group plays in perpetuating this cruel and outdated form of entertainment – which means a lifetime of these intelligent wild animals confined to tiny barren tanks performing circus tricks for food.

New Spa Set to Enhance Guest Experience and Boost Local Employment in Norfolk

[King’s Lynn, Norfolk, August 15, 2024]: Ffolkes, a unique hotel & dining destination in Hillington, is excited to announce a substantial £2.5 million investment in the development of a state-of-the-art spa facility, set to open in late summer 2025.

Ffolkes Spa will be a luxurious haven for relaxation and rejuvenation, featuring an extensive thermal experience; including five hot tubs, three saunas, three steam rooms, various relaxation spaces, treatment rooms, and a lounge and bar, making it the largest and best-equipped facility of its kind in Norfolk.

In 2023, the UK Spa Market was valued at £3.1 billion and is projected to reach £5.7 billion by 2032. Ffolkes’ new spa facility is perfectly positioned to meet this growing demand, providing a leading wellness destination for Norfolk and East Anglia.

Additionally, twelve of Ffolkes’ bedrooms will have direct access to the spa, enhancing the guest experience and complementing the recently-opened Spa Cabins with private hot tub and sauna facilities. The development is anticipated to create new jobs in the community, including positions for reception staff, spa attendants, cleaners, and therapists.

“We are thrilled to bring this exciting new offering to Ffolkes and the Norfolk community,” said Iain Wilson, Owner of Ffolkes. “Having run a successful spa offering at The Pigs, Edgefield, since 2017, this investment demonstrates our commitment to providing top-tier spa experiences for our guests, supporting local employment, and servicing a growing demand for wellness experiences, especially in the East Anglia region.”

The new spa will provide exclusive day guest access to holders of a Norfolk Passport, a free-to-join membership programme providing exclusive perks across leading Norfolk experiences, including: The Pigs at Edgefield, Byfords of Holt, The Assembly House in Norwich, Shirehall Apartments in Holt, and Beachside Apartments in Sheringham. Find out more at: https://www.norfolkpassport.com/

About Ffolkes

Ffolkes is a quirky and characterful hotel in Hillington, King’s Lynn, formerly an old coaching inn. With 23 funky bedrooms, three Spa Cabins, container golf, and street food vendors cooking up a storm in the kitchen, it’s the ultimate hub for FEAST, STAY, PLAY. With Sandringham Hall and Gardens just a short drive away and expansive sandy beaches as little as a 15-minute drive away, it’s the ideal base for a north Norfolk stay.

The hotel is also home to Stables, a self-contained wedding and events venue that caters for up to 200 people and hosts a variety of fun and funky events throughout the year. Learn more at https://www.ffolkes.org.uk/ or follow @theffolkes on Instagram.

FLOATING in my overwater villa’s private infinity pool, I watch a pair of stingrays glide serenely through the turquoise sea below.

So far, so idyllic.

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It’s just how you’d imagine a dream holiday to the Maldives to be.

But Siyam World island resort on the Noonu atoll is so much more.

Fancy jumping into a go-kart for a scream around their jungle racetrack?

Or how about challenging Rio Ferdinand to a kickabout on the full-size football pitch — he’s there this October half term.

Why not splash about on the largest floating water park in the Indian Ocean or saddle up one of the magnificent horses at the island’s ranch?

You can take to the calm, clear waters for a snorkelling safari or a sunset cruise to spot dolphins.

Jump into a canoe or laser boat to cut through the waves or catch the breeze windsurfing or paddleboarding.

And that’s before we’ve even talked about the entertainment, vast spa complex or the four swish pools.

It was my first time on a Maldivian island and the 5* Siyam World blew all my pre-conceptions out of the water.

I’d always been slightly worried by the thought of simply lounging about on white sand beaches and swimming in those stunning seas.

Would I get bored?

The answer is absolutely not.

Siyam World says it offers WOW-inclusive holidays and I can’t disagree.

The island — a thrilling 40-minute sea-plane ride from Male’s international airport — is one of the largest in the Maldives archipelago.

It’s even easier to reach now with Virgin Atlantic’s new daily direct flights from Heathrow.

And at Siyam World, so much is included in your stay you’d struggle to do it all in a month.

Of course, the island’s idyllic beaches — all 2.5 powder-soft miles of them — are the perfect place to top up the tan.

Its 6km house coral reef just off shore promises snorkellers and scuba divers astonishing marine life.

And while the Maldives has always appealed to couples and honeymooners, this resort is also very family-friendly.

Tucked away among the lush foliage, its kids’ club is built around the vast trunk of a banyan tree, its branches shading a splash pool with inflatables.

There’s kids’ yoga and zumbini fitness classes for kids and teens and a huge array of activities to keep them happy.

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That doesn’t distract from grown-up fun though.

The adults-only Mint infinity pool was perfect for those Instagram selfies and the sheer choice of bars and restaurants — all included in the price — was dizzying.

There’s no doubt this is a luxury resort but for a special anniversary, birthday or blow the budget multi-generational trip the prices hands-down beat comparable high-end European resorts.

And what you can’t recreate elsewhere is the relaxed Maldivian welcome.

Every single member of staff greeted us with a warm smile and couldn’t do enough to make us feel instantly at home.

No more so than at the island’s nine restaurants and seven bars.

All included, you can take your pick from the bountiful buffet or dine around the world with Maldivian, Indian, Italian, Thai and Spanish options to name a few.

Highlight of my first night was not just the authentic flavours of the Takrai Thai restaurant on its own little pier — but the vast shoals of fish and baby reef sharks swimming in the waters.

‘CLASSY COCKTAILS’

Another favourite was the Kaag, the Maldivian restaurant with the freshest seafood and creamy, spicy curries.

There’s live music and dancing into the night with all the bars serving premium spirits and classy cocktails as well as an impressive range of wines.

Favourites for me included beachside Shipwrecked and Together for breathtaking sunset views.

And nothing can beat the experience of watching the sun rise from your very own patio or terrace.

There are 16 different types of villas on the island sleeping two to 12, ranging from those with direct beach access and private pools to overwater villas complete with helter-skelter slides.

We combined the thrills of Siyam World with a more relaxed, laidback luxury experience at the nearby sister resort of Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, just a short speedboat ride away.

Here we’re greeted yet again by smiling, dancing staff who whizz us to our overwater villas in colourful electric buggies.

But there’s barely time to take in the views from our spacious terraces and beamed bedrooms before we’re heading back out into the ocean.

Climbing aboard a traditional Maldivian fishing boat, we’re handed glasses of champagne and set off in search of dolphins.

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Within minutes we’re watching as hundreds leap from the water around us.

Sailing back to Iru Fushi as the sun sets we’re rewarded with a sky vividly streaked with reds and oranges on the endless horizon.

Like Siyam World, Iru Fushi features a host of included bars and restaurants, all serving up sophisticated grub in super-relaxed, rustic settings.

Siyam has transformed my view of the Maldives — and I can’t wait to get back and explore more.