Wildheart Warriors Taking On Isle Of Wight Ultra Challenge For Benji And Balu!
- Dominic Kureen
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Four intrepid members of Sandown's Wildheart Animal Sanctuary team will take on an epic 106km trek around the Island's coastal path next month to raise funds two brown bears in desperate need of rescue.
Saturday May 3 will see CEO Lawrence Bates, big cat carers Mary and Sandra, and supporter Graeme join around 2,000 people tackling the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge.
They will take on this gruelling hike in aid of Benji and Balu — two brown bears in desperate need of rescue from a concrete cage in Azerbaijan.
The crew will set off from their Chale base camp and along the way will encounter the Island’s spectacular cliffs, beautiful countryside, and the familiar coastline of Sandown Bay, where the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary is located.
This is not the first daring venture that Lawrence, Mary and Sandra have undertaken
for the bears.
In June last year, they completed the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon in just under twenty-four hours.
They were supported by Dan, a local businessman who gave up his time to transport the team between each mountain.
The team raised an amazing £3,800 towards the Sanctuary’s fund to build a new habitat for Benji and Balu.
When asked how they were preparing for the Ultra Challenge, big cat carer Sandra 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!”
You can donate to the Wildheart team’s JustGiving page by following this link:
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