Dawn James, 53, who lives and works in Todmorden, is planning the trek to help save brown bears from a life of cruel captivity.

Dawn and her fellow trekkers will have a real adventure, hiking 50 miles through and up mountains and visit the Romanian bear sanctuary, a unique opportunity to see the World Society for the Protection of Animals working first hand.

The sanctuary is in a tourist area – 20 minutes from Dracula's Castle on the outskirts of a town called Zarnesti but there will be no luxury as she will be sleeping in mountain hut accommodation with very basic food and facilities.

The bears that are rescued or confiscated had lived their lives in captivity and so, are often unable to adapt to a life in the wild.

For these animals the best option is a forested sanctuary in which they can behave as naturally as possible.

The sanctuary is set in 170 acres of open woodland and has large ponds for the bears to splash and swim, food for foraging and places where the bears can make dens.

The world's largest woodland bear sanctuary has been taking in bears since spring 2006 and currently houses 35 bears.

Dawn is a long standing supporter of WSPA and hopes to raise at least £2,300 for the bear sanctuary project in Romania .

The challenge does not just happen in September.

The training schedule is quite difficult and means that Dawn is often to be seen marching over the hills around Todmorden instead of relaxing in her usual haunts around town.

She says that being "shaped more like a Teddy Bear than an athlete" has meant a lot of work in getting fit for the challenge.

Out has gone beer and chocolate and in has come water and fruit.

Dawn along with her friend Hilary runs the Wednesday night fun quiz at the Masons Arms in Bacup Road and adds: "Lynn and Glynn from The Masons have been wonderful in supporting me.

"They have been collecting sponsorship money for me and I have been overwhelmed by the kindness shown by them and the regulars of the pub."

Dawn has also had other donations from people but the target is an ambitious one and she is hoping to encourage more local people to lend their support by sponsoring the adventure.

She has written to several local businesses where she is a regular customer to ask for their support.

"I have always loved bears and when I saw the way that some of them are treated in Romania it made me cry and I just knew I had to do the World Society for the Protection of Animals bear adventure.

"I have started fund-raising for the trek and so far, I have had postcards printed with my fund-raising page and have given them out at various events. I am also auctioning off a lot of books, CDs and DVDs."

Dawn, who makes Collectors Artist Bears for a living, and who has won several British Artist Awards over the last three years will also be auctioning one of her creations with all proceeds going towards the trek.

She has also won first prize for her Trekking Romania bears at the Teddy Bear Artist Event in Stratford-upon-Avon earlier in June.

WSPA Community Fund-raising Manager Jane Rockliffe said: "We are thrilled to have Dawn coming on this unique WSPA overseas adventure.
"I hope we can raise enough money to support the extension of the sanctuary.

"Recently, two blind bears that spent their lives in tiny, rusting cages were set free into the sanctuary and we're all so happy at how well they have adapted.

"We hope to be able to give many more bears like this a chance."

You can support Dawn by making a donation online at: www.justgiving.com/dawnjames1 or by popping in to The Masons Arms in Bacup Road and signing the sponsor form. Alternatively you can ring Dawn on 01706 839938 if you would like to send a cheque.