Hi Folks - this is just an update to say thank you for all your generous donations. I did it and the money still keeps coming in and so a HUGE THANKS to you all. Don't think I'll be doing it again though!

Many of my friends and family will know what an animal lover I am and about the relationship I have had with the charity Lega Pro Animale over the last 11 years. You may also be aware that I enjoy keeping fit – a legacy of my days as a Ballet Dancer I’m afraid – and so when I heard about the Annual Pathfinder Long Distance March, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided I just had to have a go.

The past few months have been spent preparing for this marathon walk of 46 miles (74 km). I have walked many miles in preparation for the event, so far managing 30 miles in one go. It is still uncertain as to whether I will achieve the distance and I am just hoping for a good body on the day and the right conditions for the walk.

The Charity I am walking in aid of, Lega Pro Animale, was founded in 1986 by a German Vet, Dorothea Friz. Hers and the founder members vision is that every dog and cat needs a caring owner and that Street dogs and cats should be a thing of the past. Her policy is to neuter as many dogs and cats as possible and the importance of information, education and to cooperate with the authorities. Since beginning her crusade, she has expanded on the groups of animals that she helps and it now includes Buffalo. Unfortunately she witnessed some cruelty of male buffalo back in 2002 and ended up rescuing Emilio and, later on another 3 male buffalo. Since then, she has been fighting for the male buffalo in an effort to get the laws changed and cease some of the suffering she has seen.

Last year Lega Pro Animale spayed/neutered 3,352 animals (mostly female) which was 165 animals more than in 2010. This is all down to the support of people like you who give so generously and so I really hope that you will support me in raising some much needed funds for a fantastic charity.

You may remember that Steve and I raised £1,000 for Lega at our Silver Wedding in 2010 and that money was put to very good use, funding a whole spay day for all the stray cats and dogs that were captured, neutered and released to live the rest of their lives free from increasing the population further.

All donations will go through AISPA (Anglo Italian Society for the Protection of Animals) as, this way, you can donate in English pounds and AISPA will exchange the money and ensure that Lega Pro Animale receives all the funds I am able to raise.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thanks again for all your support. I know it's not an easy time at the moment with the economic climate, so I really do appreciate any donation that can be given to help me raise my target.

Julie

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