Recently there was a 10 year challenge doing the rounds with photos from now and 10 years ago but one photo stood out...... it was of a lion in 2019 stood on the grass enjoying life, the second picture was dated 2029 with just the grass. That is just ten years into our future - that is in our lifetime and we need to act now.  Imagine telling your children or grandchildren to google what a lion looked like because they have become extinct.

I am taking part in Trekfest 2019 across the Brecon Beacons, it is a 25k walk which includes going up Pen Y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales, this is the mountain used by the SAS for training purposes, its tough terrain but breathtakingly beautiful once you reach the summit. Out trek includes hiking around 6 miles up lanes to reach the bottom of the mountain before we begin our climb & also includes the descent down and back across the Beacons to the finishing point.

25K really may not sound much to some (15.53 miles to be exact) but to me it is one very big challenge and one I am taking very seriously by training 5 days a week.

The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent is working to help save some of the most endangered cats in the World from extinction, housing over 50 - from the largest, the Amur Tiger to the most endangered, the Amur Leopard.

Last year I was exceptionally fortunate to visit to see how amazing the work they do really is. The cats in their care are gleaming, happy and relaxed and the dedicated staff so friendly and knowledgeable. I got to see Maya the Jaguar & Willow the Cheetah from Big Cats about the house programme that was shown on BBC & they have both thrived into beautiful adults thanks to this wonderful sanctuary.

As they  run solely on donations and specialised experiences I have chosen this charity because I believe in their passion for the conservation of not only big cats but other animals facing extinction during my lifetime.

I am not asking you to do anything other than to donate, anything at all will help to support the conservation and breeding programme to stop not only lions but other big cats from becoming memories.

I do not mind spending the next 10 weeks pushing myself beyond my limits, training when I feel like having a lie in and dealing with blisters & aches and pains if you will just all support me.

Thank you.