Cash to aid bears

Kirsty Gibbins • Published 16 Dec 2010 09:22 2 Comments

A FOUNDATION created by an animal rights campaigner from Tranent to help prevent cruelty to bears has made its first donation to a project in Pakistan.

The Winton Foundation for the Welfare of Bears, launched in October, has gifted £700 to a sanctuary in Balkasar, Pakistan, run by the World Society for the Protection of Animals to aid bears rescued from bear-baiting.

The funds have gone towards the cost of medical equipment, drugs and food for the bears as they recover from their ordeal.

Created by Tranent woman Lesley Winton, the foundation has raised about £1,000 since its launch and the next project set to benefit from its fundraising efforts in 2011 is International Animal Rescue's sanctuary in India for rescued 'dancing' bears.

Lesley explained: "As dancing bears often losing their sight through malnutrition or being beaten, many of the rescued animals can be particularly frightened and unsure when they arrive at the sanctuary and need special care.

"In order to help them feel safe and secure again, a team of vets and nurses is going to carry out cataract operations on about 45 bears to help restore their sight."

Anyone who would like to donate to this project in the run up to new year can send contributions to 54 West Windygoul Gardens, Tranent, East Lothian, EH33 2LA.

A number of events will take place at Strawberry Corner Garden Centre, near Wallyford, in the new year to help raise funds for the cause.

For further details, please contact Lesley on 01875 614 899 or 07904 733 137.

Tweet

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Flyguy
  2 posts
  Jan 10, 01:39
  Report comment

  I will be visiting Tranent in June of this year and will make a point of contacting someone so I can make a donation to this worthy cause. George L. Watt, Vancouver, BC. Canada.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Lesley
  Unregistered User
  Feb 19, 21:20
  Report comment

  Hi George
  
  I just wanted to thank you for leaving a comment and I would be delighted to speak/meet with you when you visit Tranent this year. Please feel free to get in touch when you know your trip dates. All our contact details are on our new website www.wintonbearfoundation.org
  
  Thank you for your support and I look forward to meeting you.
  
  Lesley Winton
  
  Founder and Director
  
  Winton Foundation for the Welfare of Bears
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

Post a comment

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

If you are registered with us, you can login here. If you are not registered, do so now.
Once logged in you wont have to complete word verification each time you post.

Prefer not to register?

Screen Name *required

Email (not displayed) *required

Usernames must be 4 - 20 characters. Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users can also take part in competitions and other features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @elcourier