A team from the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary is preparing to take on the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge on Saturday 3rd May, walking 106km around the coast in a bid to raise vital funds for 2 brown bears in need of rescue.
CEO Lawrence Bates, big cat carers Mary Lenton and Sandra Digby, and Sanctuary supporter Graeme Lacey will join up to 2,000 participants in the endurance event, setting off from Chale and making their way along the Island’s scenic coastline.
The group is fundraising for Benji and Balu – 2 brown bears currently living in a concrete cage in Azerbaijan. Wildheart hopes to raise enough money to build a new habitat and bring the bears to the Isle of Wight.
This is not the first time the team has taken on a major challenge. In June 2023, they completed the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours. That effort raised £3,800 towards the sanctuary’s ongoing bear rescue mission.
Sandra, big cat carer, has said:
“Lots of walking and foot care, which sounds easy, but the reality of training for an endurance event like the Ultra Challenge is quite intense. I’ve been building up walking distances and that takes time and dedication, as well as mental strength.
“The prospect of walking for twenty-five to thirty hours is becoming very intimidating as the event gets closer. What will give us a massive boost is if people can continue to support us with sponsorship so that all of this effort is worthwhile for Benji and Balu!”
Those who wish to support the Wildheart team can donate via their JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/iow-ultra-bears.
