In a possible world first, astronomy student and SAFE volunteer David Klein put the case for a battery egg-free Canterbury University by racing up eleven flights of stairs during the university's annual Library Tower Race.  In order to throw off his well-trained and buff competitors, David participated in the race dressed as Hetty, SAFE's battery hen mascot. Hetty's large chicken feet, massive girth and huge head had the opposition trembling with fear as no one could see how this cumbersome hen could be passed in the university's narrow stairwell.
David's personal trainer, SAFE campaigns officer Sacha Dowell and education officer Nichola Kriek, dressed David in preparation for his epic ordeal. Would he survive the climb? Would he break his (chicken) neck falling back down the stairs or would he get oven-baked inside all that foam and rubber?  Within seconds of the race beginning David was left for dead by the other less-than-animated competitors. Buoyed by the cheers and applause of hundreds of students David valiantly made his way to the start of his ascent in the knowledge that he would be creating history as the first chicken ever to take part in Canterbury University's Library Tower Race. David raced up the stairs as fast as his chicken feet could carry him shadowed by Sacha ready to offer a human backstop to prevent him falling back down the stairs. Not only did he survive the climb, he managed a record-time for a chicken - 7 minutes and 34 seconds! Never before had a chicken achieved so much!
Overcoming all the odds, David proved that chickens can do just about anything and his achievement left all those present in awe. He was extensively interviewed and photographed by the media present, giving him a great platform to discuss SAFE's efforts of convincing Canterbury University to become the first battery egg-free campus in the country. Thanks David!
23 March 2008
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