Earn Your Stripes 2026 Terms and Conditions
1. Eligibility
Participants under the age of 18 must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to take part in the Earn Your Stripes challenge. Parents or guardians are responsible for supervising children and young people participating in the challenge.
2. Registration
All participants must register through the official Chester Zoo Earn Your Stripes fundraising page or another approved Chester Zoo registration platform.
3. Fundraising Commitment
By registering for Earn Your Stripes, participants agree to raise funds in support of Chester Zoo's conservation work, including the protection of critically endangered Sumatran tigers and Chester Zoo's Terai Tiger Project.
4. Challenge Period
The Earn Your Stripes challenge runs from 29 September 2026 to 29 October 2026. Only distances completed and logged during this period will contribute towards the collective 5,000km challenge target.
5. Accepted Activities
Participants may complete the challenge through a range of activities, including walking, running, cycling, swimming, wheelchair use, hiking, fitness activities, or other forms of exercise. Chester Zoo reserves the right to determine whether activities are appropriate for inclusion in the challenge.
6. Environmental Responsibility and Respect for Wildlife
As Earn Your Stripes supports Chester Zoo's conservation work, participants are encouraged to complete their activities responsibly and in a manner that supports the aims of the challenge. When participating outdoors, participants should respect wildlife, habitats, livestock, local communities, private property, and any applicable countryside access regulations. Participants should follow the Countryside Code (or relevant local guidance), stick to designated paths where appropriate, take litter home, and avoid causing disturbance to wildlife or damage to the natural environment.
7. Logging Distance
Participants are responsible for accurately recording and logging their own distances through the designated fundraising platform. Chester Zoo reserves the right to remove inaccurate or misleading entries.
8. Entry Fees and Donations
Any registration fees, donations, or sponsorship received in connection with the challenge are non-refundable and non-transferable, unless required by law.
9. Sponsorship Payments
All sponsorship monies should be paid to Chester Zoo by 6 November 2026 to ensure they are counted towards the final fundraising total.
10. Health and Fitness
By taking part, participants confirm that they are physically and mentally able to undertake their chosen activity. If you have any concerns regarding your health, fitness, or medical condition, you should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before participating.
11. Participation at Your Own Risk
Participants take part entirely at their own risk. Chester Zoo shall not be liable for any injury, illness, loss, damage, costs, or expenses suffered as a result of participation in the challenge, except where liability cannot be excluded by law.
12. Personal Responsibility
Participants are responsible for ensuring they undertake activities safely, wear appropriate clothing and footwear, carry any required medication, and comply with any laws, regulations, guidance, or local restrictions applicable to their chosen activity.
13. Emergency Contact Information
Participants should ensure that a family member, friend, or other appropriate contact is aware of their participation and intended activity, particularly when undertaking activities alone.
14. Personal Data
Participants acknowledge that Chester Zoo may collect, store, and process personal data in accordance with its Privacy Policy. Personal information may be shared with trusted third-party suppliers where necessary for the administration of the challenge.
15. Children's Data
Where a parent or guardian registers a participant under the age of 16, they consent to Chester Zoo processing that child's data for the purposes of administering the challenge.
16. Photography and Publicity
By participating, participants agree that photographs, videos, social media content, testimonials, or other media submitted by them, or taken by Chester Zoo, may be used to promote the challenge, Chester Zoo, and its conservation work. Participants may contact Chester Zoo if they wish to request an exemption.
17. Participant Conduct
Participants are expected to behave responsibly and respectfully throughout the challenge. Chester Zoo reserves the right to remove participants from the challenge or fundraising platform where conduct is deemed inappropriate or inconsistent with Chester Zoo's values.
18. Fundraising Activities
Participants must ensure that all fundraising activities carried out as part of Earn Your Stripes are legal, safe, and conducted in accordance with any relevant fundraising regulations and guidance.
19. Communications
Participants are responsible for ensuring that their contact details remain up to date. Chester Zoo cannot guarantee delivery of challenge information where incorrect details have been provided.
For any updates or enquiries, please contact: fundraising@chesterzoo.org
20. Reward Fulfilment
Any fundraising incentives, rewards, or recognition items offered as part of the challenge are subject to availability and may be amended or substituted at Chester Zoo's discretion.
21. Challenge Changes or Cancellation
Chester Zoo reserves the right to amend, postpone, suspend, or cancel the Earn Your Stripes challenge where circumstances beyond its reasonable control make this necessary. Participants will be informed of any significant changes as soon as reasonably practicable.
22. Amendments to Terms and Conditions
Chester Zoo reserves the right to update these Terms and Conditions at any time prior to or during the challenge. The latest version will be made available to participants through official Chester Zoo channels.
23. Acceptance of Terms
By registering for and participating in Earn Your Stripes 2026, participants confirm that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
Date terms published – 22nd July 2026