SIMSBURY, CT — A Simsbury middle school student is starting the school year this week preparing for a 5K road race that could help his ornithological friends a world away.
Lucas Raymond, 13, is an eighth-grader at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury. When he was younger, he did the penguin encounter at the Mystic Marinelife Aquarium in Mystic.
That seminal moment in his childhood jumpstarted a passion that, now, has him looking to help endangered African penguins and, down the road, become a marine biologist.
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He now regularly runs the Mystic Aquarium Penguin Walk, Run, Waddle 5K, an event where sponsors can help him help the funny-looking, but lovable oceanic birds.
His mother reflected on the moment her son was inspired when he had the opportunity to get up close and personal with a penguin at the aquarium.
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The attraction allows guests to sit and pet penguins under the supervision of an aquarium staff member.
“We did the Penguin Encounter a few years back and it was one of his favorite memories from the aquarium,” said Lucas’ mother, Denise Raymond.
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Lucas is currently seeking online donations through the aquarium and is hoping if more people know about his quest, more can help him help the penguins.
According to Denise Raymond, Lucas is already collecting bottles and cans to supplement his run, a project he will continue through Oct. 20. The running event is Oct. 27.
He’s been doing this for seven years and the goal annually is to raise $500.
So far, Lucas has raised $125 toward the $500 goal, with donations being used to financially help organizations that work to combat climate change and pollution issues that are harming the African penguins’ food source.
For more information and to donate to Lucas Raymond’s fundraising effort, click on this link.
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