(Image: FAMILY)
A nine-year old girl from Darlington has come face to face with sharks in a birthday challenge to protect the oceans she hopes to one day help save.
Poppy Hutchins took on a junior shark dive at Deep Sea World in North Queensferry, Fife, where she entered a tank containing sand tiger sharks, stingrays and other marine life.
The young ocean lover has wanted to become a marine biologist since she was just four-years-old. Now, after completing her dive, she is continuing to raise money throughout August for The Shark Trust and The Orkney Skate.
Poppy Hutchins, 9, completed a dive with sharks for charity
(Image: FAMILY)
Poppy, who celebrated her ninth birthday in June, has already raised more than £1,000 through a bake sale and other fundraisers.
You can donate to her fundraiser here: Fundraiser by Coryn Montgomery : Charity shark dive
Her mum, Coryn Montgomery, 32, said Poppy’s love for the sea began at an early age.
She said: “When she was in nursery, she was seeing a lot of the news about the seals, the dolphins, and sea life washing up on the beach shores.
“At the end of nursery, she was asked to tell the school what she wanted to be when she was older. She stood up and quite confidently said she wanted to be a marine biologist.”
Poppy Hutchins and her proud mum Coryn Montgomery
(Image: FAMILY)
Since then, Poppy has visited various wildlife attractions, zoos, beaches, and her determination to protect the ocean has only grown.
The idea for the shark dive first came during a family visit to Deep Sea World two years ago. Poppy was too young to take part at the time but did not forget about it.
When asked what she wanted for her birthday this year, Poppy did not have to think twice.
Coryn said: “Poppy is happiest in the water, and she just loved the idea of saving the ocean.
“When I asked what she wanted for her birthday she said ‘I don’t want any presents this year, Mummy. I’m going to do the shark dive. I’m old enough and I want to raise money to help make a difference in our oceans.’”
Poppy Hutchins and her instructor Tristan
(Image: FAMILY)
Poppy prepared for the experience through swimming lessons and completed training at the aquarium, learning how to use her breathing equipment and scuba gear before entering the tank.
For Poppy, it was an experience she said “felt like a dream”.
She said: “It feels like I was just imagining it and I was dreaming, but I wasn’t. I still can’t believe it happened.”
While in the tank, the nine-year-old spotted a shark only metres away from her.
Poppy Hutchins, 9, completed a dive with sharks for charity
(Image: FAMILY)
She said: “I went underwater and the next thing, a shark was literally three metres away from my face. It was amazing.”
Poppy said she wants to become a marine biologist because she is worried about the impact litter and pollution can have on animals.
She said: “Fish and turtles are dying. People are fishing as well. I want to help save the wildlife and the animals, and educate people.”
Poppy Hutchins, 9, completed a dive with sharks for charity
(Image: FAMILY)
She also urged people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly, adding: “People need to make sure they put their rubbish in the bin instead of just leaving it on the ground.”
Coryn said the whole family was incredibly proud of Poppy.
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She said: “We’re incredibly proud, me and her dad. The whole family, we’re so proud of her. She is so caring and so humble.
“The dive team got her a gift, and the first thing she said was, ‘No, please, I didn’t do it for anything.’”
Poppy has already set her sights on the future, with plans to return when she is 16 to complete a full shark dive.