Charity Support
Benjamin is deeply committed to supporting causes that resonate with his personal journey and values.
Charity Support
Grow 4 Good Southwest
Empowering young people at risk of social exclusion by teaching skills through horticulture and teamwork in the unique setting of Dartmoor Zoo.
Dartmoor Zoological Society
Championing conservation, research, and education to protect threatened species while improving understanding of the natural world.
Brain Tumour Research
Funding vital research to combat the UK’s biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, inspired by Benjamin’s own loss of his wife, Katherine, to a brain tumour.
Through his involvement with these organisations, Benjamin works to create lasting positive impact for both people and wildlife.
Charity Support
Supporting charities and community projects is something very close to Benjamin’s heart. Each of the causes he works with matters to him on a deeply personal level, reflecting both his own experiences and his values.
Dartmoor Zoological Society
Benjamin and his family own Dartmoor Zoo, which in 2015 became a registered charity, the Dartmoor Zoological Society. As a trustee, Benjamin continues to dedicate his time and energy to strengthening the zoo’s role in conservation, education, and research.
He firmly believes that modern zoos have a vital part to play in protecting endangered animals and deepening our understanding of the natural world. The zoo’s Conservation and Research programme covers everything from animal behaviour and welfare to breeding programmes, with strong partnerships with universities and colleges.
Their work spans both natural and social sciences: from studying cognition in animals to exploring how visitors respond to conservation messaging. The aim is always the same – to improve animal welfare, strengthen conservation efforts, and inspire people to care about wildlife.
Current projects include:
Breeding programmes for threatened species such as the Bicoloured Frog and Azara’s Agouti.
Behavioural studies to learn more about how animals adapt and interact.
Husbandry and welfare research to develop evidence-based improvements in care and enrichment.
The zoo also serves as a learning hub for students and researchers who go on to lead conservation efforts worldwide.
Charity Support
Grow 4 Good Southwest
Grow 4 Good Southwest is an inspiring charity founded by Dave Sharp, which Benjamin is proud to support in several ways – by donating land at Dartmoor Zoo for their work, making the zoo grounds available for projects with volunteers, and using their produce in the zoo’s restaurant.
The charity helps young people and adults at risk of social exclusion by providing hands-on experience in organic gardening, horticulture, and nursery stock production. This unique setting at Dartmoor Zoo brings the added benefit of working within a conservation-focused environment surrounded by wildlife – creating a learning space like no other.
The project offers more than practical training: by being part of a team, participants develop confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging. For many, this becomes a stepping stone towards further training, employment or simply feeling more connected to their community.
Grow 4 Good has earned recognition from schools, social services, and GPs for the difference it is making in people’s lives, and referrals are now steadily increasing.
Brain Tumour Research
This is the most personal of Benjamin’s charitable commitments. In 2007, shortly after the family bought Dartmoor Zoo, Benjamin’s wife Katherine passed away at the age of 40 from a brain tumour. Since then, he has been a passionate advocate for Brain Tumour Research, a charity dedicated to funding sustainable, long-term scientific research.
Brain Tumour Research works tirelessly to address the shocking inequality in cancer research funding: brain tumours cause more child and young adult deaths than any other cancer, but receive less than 1% of the national spend. The charity is changing this both by directly funding research and by campaigning to influence government and policy.
Benjamin first became involved with the charity through their “Conquer It Together” campaign, which encouraged people to face personal fears while raising money for vital research. Since then, he has taken on an ongoing role as Ambassador for the charity. In 2014, he spoke in Parliament to support the launch of a pioneering partnership between Brain Tumour Research and Plymouth University, bringing world-class research into his local community.
For Benjamin, this work is a lasting tribute to Katherine and a way to ensure that others facing this devastating disease will have better support and, one day, a cure.
Media
Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence Campaign
It is a condition that kills more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer; its mortality rate within a year of diagnosis...
Katherine Carnegie – Brain Tumour Research
Katherine and I met in 1994, we both worked hard in London writing and designing for various glossy magazines. In 2002 we moved to France to...