FOR many businesses volunteers can be incredibly important.

National Volunteers Week ran from June 1 until June 7, recognising the valuable contribution volunteers make within their communities.

Drusillas Park is one business lucky enough to have some brilliant volunteers supporting their zoo keepers and education team.

Their role is extremely varied and volunteers often find themselves helping across number of different areas.

These areas include the Lory Landing, Lemurland, the Bat and Sloth Enclosure, the Discovery Centre and even sometimes assisting in the zoo kitchens or caring for the education animals.

For retired SEN teacher Lynn Robertson volunteering is a huge part of her life.

For the last 18

months she has been helping out at Drusillas returning each week to assist and spread a conservation message.

She said: “I absolutely love it here.

“I used to come here after work and spend the last half hour before closing time visiting the animals and exploring the zoo.

“Volunteering with the lorikeets is my favourite.

“I really enjoy helping people overcome their fear of birds.

“Some people are so scared to begin with but once you show them how gentle and loving the birds are everyone stops being afraid!

“That experience is everything to me.”

Drusillas is extremely proud of its volunteers and continually bowled over by how much help each individual is willing to give.

A particular story of success comes from new zoo keeper Luke Craigmyle, 25.

He said: “My grandparents used to keep sheep and chickens so I grew up around animals and have always wanted to work hands on with them.”

“I was working in an office dealing with pensions and volunteered in my spare time.

“I would always ask if I could stay late or help out with different jobs.

“Drusillas trained me.”