Over 1,700 Supporters join us for an incredible Oli’s Safari Walk!

On Sunday 11th May, Alder Hey Children’s Charity welcomed more than 1,700 supporters to Knowsley Safari for our 11th annual Oli’s Safari Walk — and what a fantastic day it was! With glorious sunshine setting the scene, families, friends and fundraisers came together to enjoy a memorable morning and raise vital funds for Alder Hey.

This year’s walk saw an amazing turnout and raised an astonishing total of over £42,000, with final donations and fundraising still coming — every penny of which will help support the brave children and young people cared for at Alder Hey.

The day kicked off with a lively warm-up, followed by photo opportunities with Star Wars favourites including Stormtroopers, Darth Vader and R2-D2, generously provided by UK Garrison. Then it was time to set off on the 3km safari walk alongside our beloved mascot, Oli the Elephant. As we strolled the scenic route, walkers were treated to up-close views of Knowsley Safari’s incredible animals — adding an extra layer of magic to the day. We were also treated to some incredible entertainment along the way, from talented jugglers and stilt walkers to a life size animatronic elephant (which certainly had a fair few of our walkers fooled!).

After the walk, participants collected their exclusive Oli’s Safari Walk medals and enjoyed the rest of the park’s attractions, from rides to animal encounters — with plenty of smiles and selfies along the way!

We’re so grateful to everyone who took part, fundraised, and supported this special day. The money raised will make a real difference to the 450,000 babies, children and young people who come through Alder Hey’s doors each year. Your generosity helps us continue to fund life-saving equipment, ground-breaking research, and the little extras that make a hospital stay more comfortable for our patients and families.

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to:

• Our Charity President, the Countess of Derby, for once again allowing us to use the stunning safari park grounds.
• All our brilliant volunteers including: 2359 (Woolton) Squadron Air Cadets, HSBC, ASM, and UK Garrison, who worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly and give our supporters a magical experience.
• And of course, the amazing team at Knowsley Safari for their continued partnership and warm hospitality.

Thanks to all of you, Oli’s Safari Walk 2025 was another unforgettable success — and we’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year!