Support Jules’s Dash to Save Toads!

Toad fan Jules Howard is undertaking a mission throughout October to raise awareness (and funds) for toad crossing sites by running 100km on roads in Northamptonshire where toads are known to cross.

Having spent a number of years seeing toads die at each of Northamptonshire’s ten toad crossings, and seeing the carnage caused to toads by traffic, Jules was urged to take action:

“This doesn’t look like a problem that is going away any time soon. In Northamptonshire, none of our ‘Toad Crossing’ sites have any toad signs in spring to warn passing motorists, so motorists have no idea of the threat that cars pose to the toads. The signing process is coordinated by the local authority – getting this issue onto their radar too is really important. Hopefully this toad dash will help!”

The 100km is being run in ten stages, each round one of Northamptonshire’s crossings. T-shirts emblazoned with ‘Toad Crossing’ signs will help spread the message to motorists.

“It’s likely that toads are in decline in Northamptonshire,” adds Jules. “I know of two sites where they are now likely to be extinct. I think it’s important that toads remain a common part of British wildlife and folklore – for me, it’s a crime to sit back and let them disappear, budget cuts or not.”

You can sponsor Jules’s Toad Dash to raise funds to support Froglife’s Tuppence a Toad campaign HERE.

Thank you!

Dedicated Toad Patroller Wins IFAW Conservation Award!

The work of one of our hard working Toad Patrollers has been recognised with a Conservation Award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Helen Hobbs, who coordinates the Charlcombe Lane Toad Patrol in Bath, was nominated by friend and fellow Toad Patroller Anna Ferguson.

“Helen works so hard making sure that the Toad Patrollers are out rescuing toads at the right time,” said Anna, explaining why she nominated Helen. “We are out at night in all sorts of weather, and it’s great to be able to do something to help animals. Helen gives a lot of time and really deserves recognition for what she has done.”

The Patrol has the support of the local council, who close the road each night during the toad migration season. This has given an extra boost to the toad population and this year Helen and her volunteers managed to help an incredible 3380 toads (plus 498 frogs and 607 newts!) towards their breeding pond. When the toad crossing was registered, in the early 1990s, only a few hundred toads were recorded each spring.

“We were really taken with the nomination of Helen Hobbs via our Animal Action Awards partner the Sunday People newspaper,” said Josey Sharrad Campaigns Manager for IFAW UK. “We are delighted that she has accepted the award for dedicating her time to co-ordinate teams of volunteers to rescue toads and frogs.”

Helen received her award at the House of Lords on Tuesday 19th October.

We’re really proud of Helen, Anna and all of our Toad Patrollers, who this year alone have saved over 70,000 toads. It’s great to see Helen’s work for our often forgotten species scooping such a high profile award.

You can find out more about Toads on Roads and your nearest patrol at here.