Close encounters of the tarantula kind for Bideford Brewers Fayre staff

An intrepid quartet from Brewers Fayre Bideford plucked up their courage to meet some new and rather hairy eight-legged friends at Exmoor Zoo – all in the name of charity.

The four volunteered to get up close and personal with several large bird-eating spiders – commonly known as tarantulas – at the zoo near Bratton Fleming to raise money for Greta Ormond Street Hospital.

Despite being nervous, especially organiser Deborah Furnifer, they all passed the challenge of having a large hairy spider sitting on their hands for a full two minutes and received their Exmoor Zoo encounter certificates.

Above: The group from Brewers Fayre: Deborah Furnifer, Ben Huff, Khloe Ashmore and Ollie Andrews with their spider encounter certificates at Exmoor Zoo. Credit: Tony Gussin

They also learned from zoo education officer Steve Eddy that spiders are not the stuff of nightmares and are a very vital part of the planet’s ecosystem.

Deborah, along with colleagues Ben Huff, Khloe Ashmore and Ollie Andrews underwent the challenge as part of the Bideford Brewers Fayre branch fundraising efforts for the company’s chosen charity.

Above: A nervous Deborah Furnifer begins to make friends with her spider. Credit: Tony Gussin

The London children’s hospital is currently running a £300million appeal for a new cancer centre and all funds raised from their spider encounter will go towards that.

Deborah admitted she had probably been the most nervous of the group and added: “I did not know what to expect and whether we were going to hold the spider or just touch it.

“I think because it was so much bigger you don’t really relate it to the smaller ones you have in the house. But if there’s one in my bedroom I will still shriek and run away!”

Above pictures: Ben, Khloe and Ollie all also completed the challenge to hold a rather large spider for two minutes. 

Education officer Steve said the four spiders the group met ranged in age form 15 to 19 years and could potentially live as long as 40 years.

He said: “We learn to dislike spiders and so it’s nice to see four people who have left today with a better opinion of them – and best of all have raised money to help others.

“Spiders are largely misunderstood because people don’t know enough about them, but fortunately during our sessions at the zoo we are able to inform the public that in actual fact they are quite amazing creatures.”

So far this year, Bideford Brewers Fayre has raised around £1,000 for the hospital and at last count their spider challenge had raised more than £200. You can donate to the appeal at www.gosh.org/donate/the-childrens-cancer-centre.

Find out more about animal encounters at Exmoor Zoo by visiting www.exmoorzoo.co.uk.