Quest4hope S.O.S Romania 2018 fundraising challenge

Rob was part paralysed in 2006 at the age of fifty. Facing a life in a wheelchair, he chose to fight preconceived ideas of just what was possible for someone who could feel nothing below their waist. There begins His amazing story and the beginning of an extraordinary new life.

Rob is an endurance hand-cyclist and loves riding his hand-cycle. He loves to be active outdoors, to learn, to figure out ways around challenges, and to share special experiences and journeys with friends and people from all walks of life. Life has taught him the importance of holding tight to belief, and never, ever giving up. Rob’s wants to inspire others to realise that just because you have a disability, doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve your dreams.

Rob is an active animal activist supporting many animal campaigns. In 2017 he hand-cycled 2,500 miles in 27 days raising awareness to our dying oceans. In 2018 he set up his Quest4hope project in which he has pledged to hand-cycle 10,000 miles over the next three years supporting many animal campaigns.

Although there are many wonderful rescues and shelters in the UK, Rob has been moved by the plight of the street dogs in Romania. These dogs are often left for dead and found in terrible conditions. Rob is determined to give them a better life, where they will no longer know fear, torture, or abandonment.

Rob will be undertaking two epic challenges this year supporting Paws2rescue. To raise £5,000

In September Over 14 days from 2nd September to 15th Rob will take the challenge to Hand-cycle 1,000 miles using only his arms travelling to 12 cities to collect supplies to support the work of Paws2rescue They desperately need funds to pay for maintaining the shelters kennels, building materials for the building of huts, food, neutering and vet bills. With more support they can continue the amazing work that they do. Every single penny donated is very much appreciated; Paws2rescue rely solely on charitable donations.

The situation in Romania is heartbreaking. Thousands of dogs and cats struggle for survival with temperatures reaching as low as -25 in winter. Many freeze to death or become victims of neglect and cruelty. In the largest shelter, there are approximately 6,000 dogs, all desperately craving attention and a forever home. But this is just one of many shelters, both private and public, with many never leaving the confines of their cages due to the number of animals needing help far outweighing the homes available.

They are kept in overcrowded, filthy and diseased conditions. They are starved and it is not uncommon for dogs to eat each other as they are driven to madness. Those that survive after 14 days are killed by the vet; sometimes they do not even use anaesthetic and poison the dogs instead. No animal should ever have to suffer like this and with your help we can make a big difference.

Paws2rescue monthly visits to Romania, meet and assess dogs, including those travelling, but every visit, they also spend time with the trauma dogs.

It breaks our hearts to see these dogs, who are simply too petrified for us to get near them. Whoever says that dog catchers and Bragadiru public shelter does not abuse dogs, just needs to see the lasting effects to so many of our poor babies. Just taking one step closer and watching the dog push into the wall is shockingly sad to watch.

Most of these dogs are not fear or aggressive; they are just simply scared of being hurt. We may only able to home one or even less scared dogs every month, as there are so few homes, but each one we have brought out of Romania is now a totally different dog.

Thank goodness for our rescuers in never giving up on these dogs. Thank goodness for the kindness of every dona-tor who has sent treats to Romania on our vans, as these are really helping us work with these dogs.

Please share Rob’s crowdfunding page, cheer him on or if you're feeling adventurous join him along the way.

Even if you can't donate, you can help Quest4hope by sharing Rob’s crowdfunding page with your family, friends, work colleagues, schools, class mates and your sport clubs

All donations, however small, will go to help the Romanian dogs.

Quest4hope is a project to encourage you to connect with your passion in saving the planet and its entire species, to bring friends and people together and help others at the same time by being a voice for the voiceless.

We invite you to take on your very own Quest4hope. Invent your own challenge, or take part in one of the Paws2rescue fund raising events. Found on their web site

https://paws2rescue.com/

It doesn’t matter how small or large it may seem, as long as it feels exciting, challenging and something that takes you a little bit out of your comfort zone. You may need a few drops of courage to face some fear and get started, but I am sure your journey will be special and that seemingly magical things will unfold. It could be any journey that inspires you.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Quest4hope. With your continued help we can and will make a difference. Your support can help change lives.