Dear Friends,

Thank you for visiting my JustGiving fundraising page.

For those who don’t know me, my name is Rebecca. I am an avid runner, love mountain and trail racing, and have been coaching running technique for the last 10 years.

Now, I’m using my racing to advocate for animals and raise funds for Viva!, a charity close to my heart. I will be running the toughest race in Mallorca on October 21st, 2023: the Mallorca 5000 — a 68km, 5000-m ascent — what’s called a“sky race” because of the extreme ascent.

Five years ago, this would have been impossible.

MY STORY

Having struggled since childhood with chronic asthma and allergies, I had a belief that I was weak, limited, and definitely not strong enough to race.

My condition got so severe that five or six years ago, I could barely walk five paces without having to use medication. I was really struggling to breathe, barely sleeping, and running was out of the question. I was not doing well, and I got quite desperate and scared.

Not understanding why I was so ill, I reached out to professionals for help. They immediately blamed my plant-based diet, and unfortunately I believed them.

I followed their advice, went against my morals and ethics, and one after the other, began adopting their recommended animal-based diets — including high animal-protein diets such as Paleo and Keto.

None of it worked, and I decided to take back my health.

MY TRANSFORMATION

Ignoring my therapist's advice, I immediately stopped consuming animal products. Not only did it feel so wrong, I also knew that allergies were closely related to gut health, so consuming more plants and fermented foods would potentially be beneficial rather than harmful. I started practicing quantum meditation, and my body and mind started to heal. The effects were fast and profound. My nervous system started to regulate and the symptoms were disappearing.

My life was transformed, and at 53 years old, I am thriving as a plant-based athlete. A couple of years ago, I decided to get over my fear of not being strong enough or well enough and decided to sign up for a race.

I surprised myself. I really didn't believe much would come of it, but I came first in my category. Then again and again. I had underestimated what I had been capable of, and my body kept getting stronger.

MY AWAKENING

But things changed again in a way I could never have anticipated.

One year ago, my husband Scott — who has joined me on this journey — and I rescued two abandoned lambs, who not only opened our hearts but also opened our eyes — a lot wider.

Already plant-based, we thought we knew enough about the suffering in factory farms, but knowing nothing about how to rear lambs and desperate for them to survive, we had to do a lot of intense research, which became our wake-up call. Confronted by the cruel standard practices in all types of animal agriculture, we were heartbroken, to say the least, and are now determined to be their voice.

Getting to know these gentle beings on a deep level, it became apparent to us that they are no different than our companion animals. They are individuals with sweet personalities and simply want to enjoy life — as we do.

Now as a lamb mum, my mission is to raise awareness about the needless violence and suffering of billions of non-human mothers and their babies — exploited and used for their reproductive systems and bodies.

That is why I’ve teamed up with Viva!, UK’s leading organisation specialising in undercover investigations to uncover the truth about what happens in Britain’s factory farms.

I thought, if they can do this really difficult work on behalf of animals, I can run this race.

Twice before, I’ve entered this challenging race but only completed it once. It’s really tough!!

This year I am determined to not only finish, but to beat my previous time of 14 hours.

You may not be a lamb mum, but I don’t doubt you care about animals, and it would mean the world to me if you supported my personal challenge, helping me raise much needed funds for this wonderful charity!

Please donate however much you can. Anything you can give will be much appreciated and make a huge difference in the lives of the animals.

Thank you so much.


Love, Rebecca. xx

https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaevelewis/

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https://www.strava.com/athletes/11868287

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