Balkan cats often don't live past one year old. They are often abused on the streets (I'll spare you the recent photos I've seen, they keep me awake at night). BU rescuers work tirelessly to pick stray cats and kittens up to give them a chance of a loving home. BU cats are difficult to home and travel/welfare/spay & neuter costs are rising while the incidence of stray kittens in the Balkans isnt decreasing. There are always cats needing homes and they deserve a chance. I want to raise money to keep the rescued ones safe and fed, and to help the rescuers continue their vital work. Not only do they rescue cats from the streets, but they also help trap, neuter and return feral cats to help prevent unwanted litters. They just can't work fast enough and it's now kitten season again, the rescuers are finding boxes of abandoned or stray kittens, and kittens and cats bodies that have been burned or hung.

I have three BU cats myself and if it wasn't for the wonderful BU rescuers, all three of them wouldn't be alive today. They have survived hardship you couldn't imagine, especially my little special needs kitty Charlie, who literally had half his face put back together by a kind hearted Serbian vet.

I’ve climbed Goat Fell quite a few times……before I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis and a partially collapsed left lung. I spent just over 2 years in and out of hospital and on a lot medication. I’m in remission and determined, despite this invisible disability, to once more push myself to reach ths summit of Goat Fell to help Balkan Cats. My boyfriend Alan has never climbed Goat Fell and will be joining me for this fundraising event.

It’s not a difficult climb until the last 300yards but it will be hard on ME due to the constant ascent and the lung power needed. This is a real challenge for me but I'll do it for da kitties!

The climb will take place between 15-26 September, dependent on weather. It dangerous up there if visbility isn't good so we need to pick a day where we can easily see the summit. If the weather really lets us down that week, we will trek Glen Rosa to The Saddle in the fog (which is a much longer endurance!).