In May 2008 I completed a trek through the Carpathian Mountains of Romania to raise money for Europe's largest sanctuary for orphaned and rescued Brown Bears. Why? Because for some people it's whales, big cats or domestic animals that they want to help, whereas with me it's bears. And they need help too ... Even in eastern Europe they're still kept in tiny, unsanitary cages as pets or tourist attractions, and as if that wasn't enough, hunting them is still legal in some countries too. The result is bear cubs like the one shown here who was orphaned when his mother was shot, or others that have been rescued from captivity like the one who trembled and shook with fear for a full year after it was brought to the safe, natural conditions of the sanctuary.

What am I asking? I am 50 this year and this charity is my way of celebrating this. Please join me by giving what you can and don't forget to tick the 'Gift Aid' box as every little helps. Thank you from me and for the bears.