Romania is a country that I love very much and for anyone visiting, they will find it's people warm and welcoming. However, there is a negative side and that is the way that so many animals in Romania are abandoned and/or badly mistreated. Many people living here see animals as nothing more than possessions that can be thrown away when they no longer have a use. Animal Life Sibiu is a small but wonderful charity that not only intervene in any emergency situation where an animal may be suffering, but they also carry out preventative work in the form of sterilisation campaigns for stray animals and undertake education campaigns to help break the cycle of suffering. Many of the rescued animals need extensive vet care and Animal Life Sibiu will pay for this treatment.They operate an adoption centre for the animals and also have a team of foster carers to help manage the large numbers they rescue. Without Animal Life Sibiu so many more animals would have to endure unimaginable pain and anguish with no hope of help or love.

So, this is where I come in. On 29th and 30th June I will be walking 115km in under 36hrs along the Sibiu stretch of the newly opened Via Transilvanica trail. This is a walk that will take me through meadows, forests and rural villages and my only companion for the walk will be my rescue dog Fred ( he's a big boy and I'll definitely be needed some protection from the real possibility of coming across a bear!). My lovely husband Jon, will be meeting me at various points throughout the walk to keep me supplied with food, drink and much needed fresh socks!

If you love animals as much as I do and want to really make a huge difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable animals you're ever likely to come across, then please donate to this cause via my Just Giving Crowdfunding page. I'll be keeping everyone posted on my training for the event and I'll be posting a live Facebook feed during the main walk. Thank you all for taking the time to read and to donate.