A local child, Joshua Dell, has completed a walk around Rutland Water for the 'Raptors of Rutland' or the Rutland Ospreys and raised over £1,500 for the cause.

Joshua has been a keen ornithologist for many years, and an Osprey Ambassador for over one year - a scheme run by Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust that enables children to learn about and support the osprey population through school visits and other initiatives.

Sadly, this scheme is being suspended following a funding cut. Find out more here.

Josuha was supported by his mum, mentor Ken Davies, and Rutland locals. Image credit: Samantha Dell.

However, Joshua remains passionate about the ospreys and has, over the Easter weekend, completed a walk around Rutland Water to raise money for the ospreys of Rutland.

Josh said: "I am trying to do my bit for local wildlife and habitat conversation, so, I decided to walk 22.1 miles around Rutland Water, along with my mum who accompanied me the whole way throughout my challenge. My aim is to raise enough money to help towards the ongoing work within the project and to encourage other children to get behind conservation and make a difference."

Joshua and his mum enjoyed the walk and talked to many supporters on route. Image credit: Samantha Dell.

Proud mum of Joshua, Samantha Dell, said: "We started at Lyndon at 11.30 Saturday morning and walked via Normanton, Sykes Lane, Whitwell, Barnsdale, then Egleton and then back to Lyndon, arriving at 8pm back at Lyndon. We were stopped so many times by people congratulating Joshua, donating and asking us about the osprey project, also needing toilet breaks, food and drinks stops as well, completing 15.1 miles.

They walked a whopping 22.1 miles. Image credit: Samantha Dell.

Samantha added: "On Sunday we went on to complete Hambleton Peninsula, starting at 1pm at Egleton and making our way onto Hambleton, completing the 7 mile circuit back to Egleton at 4pm! We then went on to Osprey monitor at Waderscrape hide, where Joshua received his senior ambassador status from his mentor, Ken Davies, in recognition of his achievement."

Joshua has raised a whopping £1,575 in total, prompting a massive thank you from the team at the Rutland Osprey Project.

They said: "A massive well done and thank you to Joshua Dell, who smashed his target to raise a whopping £1575 for the Rutland Osprey Project! Joshua, a senior Osprey Ambassador, walked 22 miles for the Trust - a fantastic achievement!"

Congratulations Joshua.