The Biking Birder - a true hero!

I have nominated Gary Prescott for the ‘outstanding commitment’ award at the JustGiving awards.  Many of my friends know Gary personally, some know of him through me and a few will never have heard of him at all.

The following write-up is why I nominated him.  Please read and, if you feel he’s worthy, perhaps you could nominate him yourself, so he has a chance of picking up a richly deserved accolade...

 

If I had to think of four words to describe Gary Prescott, I would suggest ‘enthusiastic positive, selfless, hero’.  But here’s a few more about this remarkable man!

The History

I met Gary, by pure chance, on a train. 

My husband and I were having a chat with our seven year old lad, Jack, about green woodpeckers, when a voice from a nearby seat spoke up,

 “I’m sorry to interrupt, but it’s so wonderful to hear a youngster talking about nature.”  There started a fascinating conversation about birdwatching, travelling and feather collecting.  Within a few stops we had learned all about Gary and his passion for wildlife, charity and, in fact, life itself.  By the time we left the train, Gary and Jack had become firm friends and our contact details exchanged.  I’m certain that our chance encounter with Gary contributed hugely to Jack’s tireless enthusiasm for birdwatching throughout his childhood.   Jack is now 18 and still sees Gary as one of his great mentors and idols, even having only met him a handful of times.

For as long as I’ve known him and longer, Gary has been raising money and awareness to various charities close to his heart.  However, being the unique, creative and somewhat bonkers man that he is, he’s never content to raise money in a traditional way…

 The Biking Birder

A keen birdwatcher and even keener environmentalist, Gary uses his passions as the medium for his JustGiving fundraising.  His adventures as ‘The Biking Birder’ have seen him cycle around the UK, while ‘green’ birdwatching, over full 12 month periods.

Let’s think about this for a moment…Gary (a man who is undeniably in his bus pass years) takes his trusty bike and a backpack, his infamous tie and wellies, a camera, several cuddly mascots and a couple of charity collection boxes.  He sets off on a journey of up to 13,000 miles of pedalling, using no carbon fuels.  He has a target of recording as many species of bird as possible in a year and, more importantly to him, getting as many donations as possible into his JustGiving page for his charities.  He sleeps in hostels, friends’ houses, bird hides, church porches and under the stars, as he’d rather put money to charity than spend it on his own comfort.  And he hasn’t done this just once but four times, in 2010, 2015, 2016 and 2023.  As if that wasn't enough,  Gary holds a record as the only person to have cycled to every RSPB and W&WT nature reserve in a calender year (that's over 230 sites)...and he's done it twice! 

In 2018 Gary opted for an even more challenging Biking Birder adventure; travelling with his trusty metal steed to Peru.  He cycled and packrafted to the most remote areas, spending time with indigenous communities and raising funds and publicising  the Chaskawasi-Manu project, which provides vital protection, support and education for the village and surrounding forests.

Gary’s Other Chosen Charities

Gary has supported many charities over the years.  National charities like the RSPB, WWT, Asthma UK and Birdlife International have all benefited from his travels around the country.  Boasting a significant presence on social media, Gary writes a blog and posts regularly on Facebook and Twitter, updating his followers and the general public on his progress throughout his many adventures, always with a link to his JustGiving page.  His heartfelt, humble and often very touching posts inspire people to donate and his endless positive enthusiasm for all things natural and all things green motivates people to keep giving.

But, the charity he feels most emotionally attached to is ACORNS children’s Hospice Trust.  Having been ‘privileged’ to have taught children of all ages and abilities for 35 years, Gary feels strongly that he wants to give back to young people, so he supports a wonderful charity that provides help for families coping with a life limiting or life threatening illness of a child.  The charity is local to Gary’s home town and is also supported by his other life-long love – the Aston Villa football team.  In fact, Gary has been spotted more than once in the official Acorn costume on the pitch at home matches!

What Now For Gary?

With his parents needing a bit more help these days, Gary is staying local this year.  Yet, even this hasn’t stopped him from using his boundless energy for good.  In March, Gary made his first ever skydive in aid of Acorns hospice.  He runs a worldwide green birding group on Facebook; where like-minded ornithologists share sightings, photographs and experiences.  He continues to support Acorns and is always looking for more ways to give back – who knows what else he’ll get up to this year?

Gary’s commitment is unending and, quite frankly, outstanding.  After so many years of supporting charities, he has absolutely no idea how much he’s raised - he’s stopped counting – but I know it runs into thousands.  Having made such a difference to so many, it would be wonderful for Gary himself to be acknowledged and celebrated. 

2023 GoCardless JustGiving Awards | JustGiving and choose GaryPrescott2022