Chris Packham and Bill Oddie back bid to buy land for primates

The World Land Trust is urging the public to support its Big Match Fortnight, where any donations to its Borneo Rainforest Appeal will be doubled.

The trust is aiming to raise £300,000 during the event, backed by Bill Oddie and Chris Packham and which kicks off on October 2.

Destruction of primate habitat is primarily thought to be the cause of reduced numbers of orang-utans in Malaysian Borneo. The World Land Trust has identified an area of land which, when protected, will link two reserves and greatly increase the area of forest available to the primates.

John Burton, WLT’s chief executive, said: "Big Match Fortnight is a golden opportunity to raise valuable funds. If we can raise at least £300,000 in pledged funds and donations during the event, it will help  us considerably towards meeting our million-pound target.:"

During the fortnight donations can be made online, over the phone by debit or credit card, by cheque or with Charities Aid Foundation vouchers.

For details visit www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2013/09/bill-oddie-chris-packham-back-big-match-fortnight