Little did Kathryn Jones know that watching a video of her colleagues working at Colchester Zoo, would inspire her six-year-old son Jack into a fundraising venture.

Jack roped in his mum, dad Sam, his grandparents and other bakers on the peninsula to make cakes for his sale, which raised £1,040 for the animals at the zoo.

He even helped bake the cakes, while younger brother Henry, aged three, was a super salesman at their stall in Church Road, Chelmondiston over weekend.

Mum and dad are extremely proud of their boys but not hugely surprised at Jack's initiative as he is always dipping into his money box to give to others.

Kathryn, who is furloughed from her role as a part time keeper at Colchester Zoo, explained how the idea came about whennoone knew when zoos and safari parks would be able to reopen, and funds for animal feed were running very low.

"It was all down to Jack to do this," said Kathryn. "He watched a video with me of me and my colleagues with the cheetah clubs, which I work with, and at the end one mentioned our operation fund, which we need to keep going, because at that time we didn't know when we could reopen.

"It is still a tricky time for zoos and Jack wanted to do something. He is always one for getting his money box out.

"Jack had also seen a little lad down the road do a cake sale for the NHS so he wanted to do something similar. For me it was about getting some maths into him, like measuring and counting. It made his brain work."

Chocolate chip, Rocky cakes, scones, and muffins were among the sweetness on sale and despite the strict social distancing and queuing they made an amazing £1,000 on the day.

Kathryn added: "Everyone has come together, then peninsula has been amazing. They have brought cakes and many people have come from everywhere to donate, even without actually coming here."

Kathryn, who worked at Jimmy's Far before achieving her dream job in Essex.

She said: "I have always loved animal and got the job at Colchester about 10 years ago.

"I have been furloughed, along with many other part time and it has been brilliant for me as it made my life easier because the children were off so that has allowed us to take that time off.

Kathryn went back for the first time last week in readiness for the zoo to reopen on Thursday and she is looking forward to be back with the animals, and visitors. And as much as she has loved spending ore time with Jack and Henry, she revealed looking after cheetah cubs was easier than two boys.

"Humans for sure are harder," said Kathryn. "Animals are not exactly predictable but they like a routine, my two are into everything. I would much rather be looking after animals than children.

The new cheetah cubs were born two weeks into lockdown, and the adults are part of Kathryn's responsibilities.

She said: "We have three adults two brothers and a mum, they see me as an annoyance, they don't appreciate us unless we are giving them food. Other animals are much more appreciative and like us. The cheetahs are very wary.

"We are choosing to be open from Thursday which allows to be ready, get the public ready and clean everything up.

"One way systems all in visors keeping safe and public safe lots of training the main thing is washing hand lots of stations alcohol gel.

Dr Anthony Tropeano, Colchester Zoo director confirmed: "We will embrace the re-opening and there is the buzz and excitement in everyone's eyes here because of it.

"It is fair to say we have gone through a roller coaster of emotions but right now I can see there is willingness and energy in the true Colchester Zoo style to re-open and put all the horrors we have experienced behind us.

"I can now confirm the official re-opening date is not Monday, June 15, but Thursday, June 18.

"However, we will be hosting a special pre-opening day on the 17th June which is accessed by invitation only. This day has been reserved for the hundreds of people who over the past three months have given us unbelievable support, inspiration and comfort when our moral was low. So, by hosting this pre-opening day this is a gesture of a much needed thank you.

"We would have loved to have been able to invite everyone who has donated and supported us through these difficult times but unfortunately due to the capacity allowed within the park we had to select donors and supporters randomly to be fair and provide limited tickets per person."

If you missed out on the cakes but would still like to contribute, add your donation to Colchester Zoo here...