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Inspirational Fundraiser Rachel Scales New Heights For Cats Protection!

Inspirational Fundraiser Rachel Dickson is trekking the Alps for Cats Protection! Read on to find out more about her adventure and how to support her fundraising goals!

Please support Rachel by making a donation at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rachel-dickson6 and by following her fundraising and training progress on www.instagram.com/rachelstrekforcats


Hi Rachel! So, you’re off soon to trek the Alps to fundraise for Cats Protection!

First of all, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello! I joined Cats Protection as a Fundraiser in the summer of 2019 because I’m just a big crazy cat lady and it sounded like something right up my street. I had just finished university and was looking for something else to keep myself busy that was more than just working, and I have ended up meeting some great people and loving my role.

During the first lockdown I got really into walking and running. I started seeing the Alps trek for Cats Protection advertised on Facebook so I thought why not?! I enjoy having something to be working towards and this comes with the added benefit of helping cats and getting CP’s message out to more people, so it’s a win-win situation.


Climbing the Alps sounds like hard work but a totally amazing and worthwhile experience! How are you preparing for this and what is involved?

I’m so excited to do it but it’s also very intimidating. I have been training by going on hikes most weekends and just generally walking a lot to get my steps up and cover many kilometres as the trek itself is 46km. There was a webinar in January with Global Adventures (the company organising the trip) and the biggest bit of advice we got was to make sure to be walking many miles on consecutive days. I feel fortunate and lucky that I am living in a country that is so hilly and that has a mountain range less than an hour from my front door!



I think there are around 15 of us taking part in this trek so it will definitely help having a group of us to keep spirits and momentum up. You can find more information about the trip on Cats Protections’ website: www.cats.org.uk/alps.


When is the trek due to take place?

The trek is scheduled for September. We are being optimistic that by then we will hopefully have all been vaccinated and the countries we are walking through (France, Italy and Switzerland) will also have gotten through the majority of their vaccine roll-out as well.

Global Adventures have however taken away their fees if we wish to change to a different trek at a later date. They do the Alps trek specifically in September and June, so if we are not able to go in September there will be the option to do it in June 2022 instead, so no donations will go to waste.


What are your fundraising goals and how do you make a donation?

The overall goal is to get to £2,170.00 in order to cover all trip costs as well as 50% of that going to the Greater Belfast Branch. However, every little helps, and I would just love to push it to £2,500 just to get that bit extra for the charity. I have so far raised over half of that so I am hoping to keep the momentum going!

Fundraising has been hard due to COVID restrictions but I have been able to hold two bake delivery sales, with hopefully a third being held over Easter weekend. I held a virtual quiz and a raffle to win a hamper at Christmas time also.

I have a Just Giving page which has been extremely helpful in aiding my donations! I set up an Instagram page as well to track my fundraising and training which is @rachelstrekforcats.


How will your fundraising efforts benefit cats and the Greater Belfast Branch of Cats Protection?

The money I raise from this event will go towards so many useful causes! It will provide money for fosterers to look after cats, as well as going towards the important TNR (Trap Neuter Return) programme. It will go towards neutering, homing and the general spread of information about the work Cats Protection does.

It is so important to me to raise this money so that I can help out in any way I can.