Some of you may know that in September this year, it will be my 50th birthday. This is clearly a monumental milestone, and I am lucky to have reached it; I am happy and I am healthy and certainly don’t feel my age on the inside!

Some of you will also know that I have an unrelenting passion for supporting animal welfare as well and an inherent love of Greece. As I am happy, healthy and have the most wonderful life, shared with wonderful people, and have more than any human could possibly need, what better way to mark this birthday than recognise a cause that is extremely close to my heart.

This year, instead of any cards or gifts, or just because you want to make a little bit of difference, I am asking for donations to Halkidiki Animal Rescue run by Julie Tsiakmakis.

Julie is one of the most positive and inspiring people I have ever met and works tirelessly to support the stray and needy animals in Greece. Julie runs the rescue shelter in the part of Greece where my lovely Mum grew up and that I have visited throughout my life (in fact, I had my 1st birthday there!). Julie has been rescuing animals for 18 years and running the shelter for 15. In that time, she’s had to deal with unbelievably challenging situations to try and protect, treat and save the animals in the region, while promoting sterilisation programmes to control the number of strays and finding homes for these animals across Europe.

Julie does this incredible work with the support of CARAT run by Linda; a registered charity based in West Sussex who helps animal welfare groups across Greece. Last year, CARAT supported the sterilisation of around 2000 stray cats and dogs, as well as supporting around 20 small shelters and volunteers in Greece. They also rehomed more dogs and cats in the UK than ever before, helping these desperate and deserving animals to find their forever homes.

All this is done with the help of people like us who provide the support for these amazing organisations to run. With our help, we will enable them to fund bigger projects and help even more animals. Please would you donate as much as you can spare; your gift will mean so much to me, so much to them, and will ensure this incredible work continues.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of Julie and CARAT and the animals whose lives will change because of your generosity.