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Dawn J Apr 19, 2009

Hi

Like most Bear Artists I also have a great love of real bears. That is why I have decided to take part in the WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) 2009 Bear Trek Fund-Raising Adventure. This takes place in September this year and involves walking 50 miles through the Carpathian mountains over five days to the WSPA Bear Sanctuary in Romania.

The sanctuary houses bears that have been rescued from illegal zoos, or that have been orphaned or treated badly and used as tourist attractions.  It makes me cry to think of animals suffering and that is why I am doing the trek. I am a bit scared of the walking part as I am 53 years old and am shaped more like a teddy bear than an athlete! However, I am absolutely determined that I will make it.  As well as the trek itself, I am having to undergo some fairly strenuous training in the evenings and weekends.

So, this is an appeal to all the bear lovers out there - I know times are tough but if you could manage a donation I will be really grateful. My fund-raising page is www.justgiving.com/dawnjames1 and you can read all about my training progress on my blog page at www.hugsunlimited.blogspot.com. Just Giving is a safe and secure website that accepts credit cards and Paypal. If you would prefer to donate another way, please email me and I will send you my address.

Having spent 23 years in the teddy bear business this is my way of giving something back to the bears - I hate asking for money and am not a natural fund-raiser, but I really do need help in raising the funds.

Thank you in advance.

Best wishes

Dawn, Hugs Unlimited

puca bears Apr 20, 2009

Lots of :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: , Dawn.........that's a tremendous thing you're going to do!
AND quite a challenge too............but you are going to such a beautiful place that you won't think about aching legs!
I visited Romania years ago, with the Dracula Society, no less! Stunning scenery and lovely people.
Big bear show coming up this weekend, so expect a donation next week.........

huggies
Maria

Off The Paw Apr 20, 2009

Well done  :clap:  Such a great cause. I joined WSPA myself at the beginning of the year. Such amazing work they do. Good luck with the training and sponsorship,    :hug:

Yvonne Apr 20, 2009

Dawn...I applaud you!!  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: What a wonderful thing to do! 

Like yourself I have a huge love of all animals..and can't abide to see such cruelty to these beautiful creatures, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about them.

Good luck with it all  ...my donations on its way...

Hugs Yvonne 

Dawn J Apr 20, 2009

Lots of :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: , Dawn.........that's a tremendous thing you're going to do!
AND quite a challenge too............but you are going to such a beautiful place that you won't think about aching legs!
I visited Romania years ago, with the Dracula Society, no less! Stunning scenery and lovely people.
Big bear show coming up this weekend, so expect a donation next week.........

huggies
Maria

Thank you Maria - I am looking forward to it, but I'm scared that the trek will be full of skinny young people - not old teddy bear shaped ones like me!

Dawn J Apr 20, 2009

Well done  :clap:  Such a great cause. I joined WSPA myself at the beginning of the year. Such amazing work they do. Good luck with the training and sponsorship,    :hug:

Thank you for your donation and good wishes - it really means a lot to me. xx

Dawn J Apr 20, 2009

Dawn...I applaud you!!  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: What a wonderful thing to do! 

Like yourself I have a huge love of all animals..and can't abide to see such cruelty to these beautiful creatures, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about them.

Good luck with it all  ...my donations on its way...

Hugs Yvonne 

Thank you for the kind words and for the donation. I actually get back the day before the Hugglets fair in September so I am hoping to have lots of photos on my table (possibly not many bears though!) xx

Dawn J Apr 20, 2009

Sorry - I forgot to mention that you don't need to be in the UK to donate - Justgiving now accepts Paypal.

Hugs

Dawn, Hugs Unlimited
www.justgiving.com/dawnjames1

Dawn J Apr 22, 2009

Hi

Here is a picture of a bear in need of rescue. It really is so sad that these poor animals are treated so badly just so that they can make a bit of money for their owners. I really want to help these beautiful creatures, but I can't do it on my own. I am not asking for large donations but if I could get small donations for a lot of people that would really help.

I am having to go walking every day to get me fit enough to do the 50 miles over 4 days of the challenge. My time for fund-raising is therefore quite limited. So, please, please help me help the bears. I particularly enjoy reading any messages of encouragement just to let me know that I am not completely mad!

I have been in the teddy bear world for well over 20 years and I know what a caring world it is. I am very proud to be part of it and that is why I am trying to do my bit to help the real bears.

Thank you
Hugs

Dawn
Hugs Unlimited

www.justgiving.com/dawnjames1
www.hugsunlimited.blogspot.com

Dawn J Apr 26, 2009

I just wanted to say a big thank you to Lynda for her donation. We are off in a minute for another long walk.

Please help me help the bears. www.justgiving.com/dawnjames1

Dawn J Apr 27, 2009

Thank you very much to Elaine, Peterbear and Maria - your donations and kind words really do mean a lot to me.

There are times when I feel really overwhelmed by all the training and fund-raising, but seeing the total going up and reading the messages of encouragement really lifts my spirits. I really do want to do this for the bears.

We have just come back from another long walk. My poor husband just has time to change into his walking boots when he gets in from work and I'm dragging him up the hills.

It was lovely to see the new born lambs again. I cannot believe how high they can jump!

Hugs

Dawn

www.justgiving.com/dawnjames1

Dawn J Apr 30, 2009

Thank you very much to Ruth of Flutter By Bears for her donation - it really does mean a lot to me.

Every time I get a bit scared about the walking part I look at pictures of the bears that need rescuing and it really spurs me on.

We are hoping to do our first ten mile walk this weekend.

Hugs

Dawn, Hugs Unlimited

Please help the rescue bears www.justgiving.com/dawnjames1

Dawn J May 12, 2009

Hi

A big thank you to Pauline from Valewood Bears who came to Made in Tod and sponsored me at the weekend. It was lovely to see you Pauline.

I have just updated my blog which is all about the trek:

www.hugsunlimited.blogspot.com

I am almost half way with the fund-raising but time is running out - funds need to be with WSPA by the middle of June.

A huge thank you to everyone who has sponsored me. I am looking for more sponsors though - if you feel you could spare a little to help me help the bears, you can donate on my fund-raising page here:

www.justgiving.com/dawnjames1

Thank you

Hugs

Dawn, Hugs Unlimited.

P.S. I'm looking forward to spending some more time on the forums after the trek, at the moment I am spending loads of my time walking up hills.

Dawn J Jun 17, 2009

Hi

The fund-raising is going really well. Thank you so much to all the lovely bear people that have donated. I am now on my final push for funding as WSPA need to have the bulk of what I have collected by the end of next week.

To help things along I have put a little bear on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? … %26otn%3D1

Low start with all proceeds going to the WSPA Bear Sanctuary.

Also, the lovely Lynn from Madabout has done Blisters with all proceeds coming to my fund-raising:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Blister-4-3-4-Pan … 7C294%3A50

If you would like to sponsor me for my 50 mile walk and help real bears that have been tortured to live out thier lives in peace and safety, the sponsor page is:
www.justgiving.com/dawnjames1

Thank you.

Hugs

Dawn, Hugs Unlimited

Dawn J Jun 23, 2009

Hi

A final appeal now for sponsorship. I am getting closer to my target but could still do with a few more sponsors. Every donation is very much appreciated by me no matter what the size.

If you would like to help me help the bears my fund-raising page is www.justgiving.com/dawnjames1

Also to help things along a bit I have put a Panda and Hare onto Ebay - all proceeds will go to the WSPA Bear Sanctuary.

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/teddyad … Z1QQ_fromZ

Thank you for looking.

Hugs

Dawn
Hugs Unlimited

Dawn J Jun 28, 2009

Hi

Just to let you know that the Hare and Panda that I have on ebay at the moment finish in just over three hours time.

All proceeds from both sales will go towards my fund-raising target to raise money for the WSPA Bear Sanctuary in Romania.

They can be found here:

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/teddyad … Z1QQ_fromZ

Thanks for looking.

Hugs

Dawn
Hugs Unlimited.

Dawn J Jul 6, 2009

Hi

Just to let you know that yesterday my fund-raising for the Bear Sanctuary in Romania topped £2000.00 - I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of people - often from very unexpected sources. A huge thank you to everyone that has donated.  Now all I have to do is walk 50 miles through the mountains!!!!

Hugs

Dawn, Hugs Unlimited.

Dawn J Jul 7, 2009

Hi
last night I listed Leo - a feeble little bear in an oversized jumper. All proceeds will go to the WSPA Bear Sanctuary in Romania that I am walking 50 miles to in september. This is probably the last one that I will list for the trek - I need to start earning a living again!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? … 0459610654

Thank you for looking.

Hugs

Dawn, Hugs Unlimited

Dawn J Sep 15, 2009

Hi

So sorry that I have not posted on here for so long. I am now very happy to report that I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I walked the 50 miles up some very steep hills to the WSPA Bear Sanctuary in Romania. Physically it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I was the fat one at the back and most days finished about an hour behind everyone else.

However going to the Bear Sanctuary and seeing how happy the rescued bears are made it all worthwhile.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed by sponsoring me. Between all of us on the trek we raised £46,000 which is enough to keep the sanctuary going for a whole year. However there are still many more bears that need rescuing and for that reason I shall be continuing my fund-raising.

My page on Just Giving is still live and donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/dawnjames1

Laurie Sep 15, 2009

I was wondering how you got on.I did see you very briefly at Hugglets but didn't have time to talk.Congratulations on finishing the walk and it is lovely that so much money has been raised to help those poor bears        
Laurie :hug:

peterbear Sep 15, 2009

Hi Dawn,

CONGRATULATIONS on finishing your sponsored walk in Romania.   :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:
Who cares if you came in a little later than the rest; the main thing is that you finished it and that you raised all that money for the bears; we all know how much they need our support.

Next time you need sponsoring for a special project, you can count on us.

Hugs,  :hug:

Peterbear

ruth Sep 15, 2009

Ooohhhhhh I'm so delighted for you Dawn ... and the bears ! 
I really meant to stop by your table on Sunday - never mind   

Congratulations

on all your amazing efforts !  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Mini Hugs ,
Ruth

valewoodbears Sep 15, 2009

Well done Dawn  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: .  That's brilliant, such an achievement.

Pauline

Woodbury Park Bears Sep 16, 2009

Hooray for Dawn  :clap:  :clap:  so proud of you what a fantastic amount of money raised I will sponsor again on your next walk too well done  :hug:

Raewyn

Dawn J Sep 18, 2009

Hooray for Dawn  :clap:  :clap:  so proud of you what a fantastic amount of money raised I will sponsor again on your next walk too well done  :hug:

Raewyn

Thanks everyone for your kind words. It as very very hard but worth it to see the rescued bears so happy.

I have been thinking about doing it again - probably in two years time. That should give me time to get super fit for it.