Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  I hope you’ll stay for a while to find out why I am desperate to raise as much money as possible for a cause that is close to my heart.

In June, my husband Mark and I are going to tackle Kilimanjaro, the Roof of Africa, on a private climb to raise funds for the African Lion and Environmental Research Trust (ALERT).  I didn’t realise just how much I hate hiking until now - especially the uphill bits (unfortunately a necessary part of climbing a mountain, so I’ve been told) - but when I’m struggling, I’ll remember why I’ve committed myself to do this in the first place.  I’ll remember Chundu, Chisa and Chobe who I bottle fed as cubs, Milo's early morning roar, the time Penya accidently fell in the water, watching the 3Ks annihilate a zebra who refused to give up without a fight, the first time I finally laid eyes on Zulu and I’ll also remember the committed ALERT, Antelope Park and Lion Encounter staff whose knowledge and passion is inspirational and who I am now lucky enough to call my colleagues.   (I’ll probably remember the time I was violently sick in the research vehicle with a pride of lions lying nearby too...sorry Kirsty!)

Above all, I’ll remember that fact that, unless we act now, we could lose the king of beasts forever.  With the African lion population falling by an estimated 80 to 90% in less than 40 years, the continuation of ALERT’s work towards the conservation of this iconic species is vital.  The Ngamo release pride at Antelope Park, Zimbabwe now has five second-generation cubs that will one day be released into the wild.  These cubs are living proof that ALERT’s approach is working but, as a charity organisation, without further funding we simply cannot continue to make progress.   

Please help to make my physical and mental pain worthwhile.  Your donation, however small, will make a big difference and will go 100% directly to ALERT’s work.  Thank you from you bottom of my heart (and my aching feet) for your support.

An Africa without lions is an Africa that has lost its soul. We cannot be the generation that allows this to happen.