Thanks for visiting my JustGiving page.

In April 2013, I'm embarking on my next charity challenge: a 10-day jungle trek in Sumtatra in aid of Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary.

Adeline and I have been visiting Mid-Antrim for the past several years to help walk dogs at weekends. We've got to know a lot of great dogs, from Jack Russells to Staffies and Rotties. All have been abandoned (and some mistreated) by the Northern Ireland public. The sanctuary accepts as many as possible, but as it has a strict ‘no kill’ policy, the kennels are always full with over 70 dogs and 60 cats at any time.

The money from my trek will go towards the sanctuary's ongoing £600,000 rebuild project, which is set to vastly improve the comfort of the dogs, cats and other animals in its care. The old buildings have been demolished and a new, purpose-built sanctuary is under construction. The project commenced in July 2011 and is set to be completed later in 2012.

Since opening in a few farm outbuildings in 1996, Mid-Antrim has cared for thousands of Northern Ireland’s least fortunate cats and dogs, and has worked hard to find them new, loving homes. But the harsh winter of 2010-2011, when pipes burst and water bowls froze solid, highlighted the urgent need to upgrade the facilities.

Your donation will also help towards the sanctuary's annual running costs of £220,000, which includes a vet's bill of £50,000. As Mid-Antrim is entirely funded by the generosity of the Northern Ireland people and receives no government help or funding, it is a constant struggle to keep the kennel doors and cat flaps open.

About my challenge:

The trek takes place in Sumatra’s Gunung Leuser National Park. The park is mostly mountainous, covering a million hectares. We start at the Bohorok Orangutan Centre in Bukit Lawang, about three hours’ drive from the Sumatran capital, Medan.

Trekking deep into the forest, we will learn how to path-find, gather food and medicine, set up camp, make shelters, build fires and cook rainforest-style. We will meet local people, track wildlife and discover how to avoid hidden dangers, including falling branches, rising water and flash floods.

Along the way, we hope to encounter wild orangutans, elephants, bears and tigers, amongst the thousands of animal and plant species that live in the park. Yes, there will be snakes; yes, there will be spiders; yes, there will be leeches. The more the merrier, as far as I'm concerned. The adventure climaxes with a ride on inner-tube rafts down the Bohorok River back to Bukit Lawang.

The trek has been organised by Charity Challenge in conjunction with the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS), who are dedicated to the conservation of Sumatran orangutans and their forest home. SOS works with local communities to help build a more sustainable future for the forests and their inhabitants.

Charity Challenge are the world’s leading fundraising challenge operator. Since 1999, they have helped thousands of people to raise over £30million for more than 1,200 different charities.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now and help me hit my target of £3,150 for Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary!