Thank you so much for sponsoring me and for helping me towards
achieving my target of £3,690.00.

Anyone who knows me will be aware that I have adored cats ( both big and small) since I was a little girl. Instead of having a doll when I was little I had a Ginger Tom Cat that I used to dress up in hats and booties (that my Mum knitted). I pushed our Ginger for hours around our garden in my dolls pram. Gosh what a beautiful cat Ginger was, my family and I were privileged to have him in our lives for just over 17 years.

It’s been a life long dream of mine to try and see Tigers living in their natural habitat. When I read about the “Himalayan Tiger & Trek Conservation Experience” in "The Cat" magazine I just knew that I had to sign up for it. I am going to celebrate my 50^th birthday next year and I want to achieve this dream whilst I am still fit and healthy. Hopefully, I will be fit and healthy for all my days but life has taught me that if you want to do something so much then don’t put it off (as you never know what maybe around the corner). I wanted to stop saying , “One day I will” so I made the 4/7/16 the day that I signed up for this challenge. Life is not a dress rehearsal, we only have a limited time on this planet, so grab every opportunity and don't spend days complaining about life and identify a multitude of reasons to be grateful (I am extremely grateful for having the opportunity to go on this amazing adventure and progress one of my meaningful life goals).

My challenge is spread over 12 days and it starts on the 7th October 2017. I will be traveling to India and participating in a four day trek in the lesser Himalayan mountain range with a small group of like-minded people, followed by three days in Kanha Tiger Reserve (also known as Kanha National Park) helping with conservation projects that will go towards preserving tigers in the wild and educating local children on the importance of Tiger conservation.

The Indian government established Project Tiger in 1973, with the aim of conserving the country’s tiger population. Within India there are currently 21 tiger reserves, although these are increasingly threatened by human pressures on the land. The key to the survival of the tiger is the maintenance of large tracts of adjacent habitat, but protection of this species is complicated by its man-eater reputation and by the threat it poses to livestock. The combined global figure for all remaining subspecies of Tiger in 2011 estimated at between 3,200 and 4,000 Tigers. The involvement and commitment of local people will be vital for the future sustainability of this most regal of cats and that's why it's so important for people like myself to educate local people on Tiger conservation so as many more generations will have the chance to see Tigers in the wild.

The trek itself will be challenging (no tempur mattress, no high heels, no power shower, no foot spa to soak my tired feet in, no electricity, no flushing toilet and no cat to curl up on my lap each night). I will be trekking from 6-9 hours a day and camping right under the stars in the mountain wilderness (up to nearly 3000m high altitude). At Kanha National Park I will be assisting with planting trees, weeding and other habitat maintenance to maintain the vital ecological balance in the Reserve.

I need to raise at least £3,690 for Cats Protection. Please note that Cats protection have organised this truly amazing event and I have paid to register.

All your kind donations will go towards helping cats who so desperately need your support in the Liverpool and Glasgow areas of the UK.

Raising funds for Cats Protection is a challenge in itself but with your donation I'm really confident of achieving my target.

My "Lynx" (pardon the pun) to my Just Giving page/text are below. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and hopefully for sponsoring me.

In appreciation from all the children that will gain vital education on Tiger conservation and raise awareness of how important it is to protect the tremendous Tiger. Through your donation, future generations may be able to appreciate Tigers in their natural habitat too. 

 Elisabeth  X

Just Giving : http://www.justgiving.com/Elisabeth-Wilson1

Just GivingText : CATZ84 (amount of donation) to 70070 For example to send a £10 donation you would text: CATZ84£10  to 70070

Please do not forget to tick the gift aid box if you're a UK tax payer. 

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