In September 2026, I will be walking the Tour du Mont Blanc to raise money for PAWS Rescue Qatar, the organisation that helped me with Habibi (known to most as Bibi), when I found him on the streets of Doha whilst working at the World Cup in 2022.

Bibi’s story

I found Bibi on the streets of Doha when I was working the 2022 Qatar World Cup (see pic of him in the undergrowth when I first saw him). Before I found him, he had been living on the side of a busy road as a stray. I was heading in to a film shoot, with my arms full of camera gear, but as soon as he saw me, he ran over and jumped on my trainers and wouldn't get off.

After Googling local shelters and finding a place called PAWS Rescue Qatar, I called them up and not long after I found myself buying a crate, going back to pick Bibi up off the street and take him to the vets to get some treatment. A member of staff from PAWS then met me and Bibi, and we took him back to their animal facility, where they started the long journey of vet visits, paperwork, flight booking and temporary fostering that eventually brought him into my life in London a few months later.

Bibi was a beautiful mix of Saluki, German Shepherd and Doberman. He was sensitive, intelligent, funny, complicated and completely unforgettable. An absolute charmer. He was playful and loved humans, but sadly his rough start to life on the streets had instilled in him a sense of fear and anxiety to the world around him that ultimately couldn't be fixed.

During our time together, Bibi discovered what it meant to have a home. He had warm beds and blankets, walks, toys, games, treats and an owner who adored him. He became an enormous part of my life. We were pretty inseparable, he'd even follow me to the toilet.

Sadly, despite extensive support and everything we tried to do to reassure him that he didn't need to be afraid of the world, Bibi’s fear and behavioural difficulties eventually became too serious and dangerous to manage safely. After a number of years of intense work with a variety of behaviourists, trainers, vets and medication, it became clear to me and the professionals who were helping me with Bibi, that it was time to make one of the hardest decisions of my life, which was to say goodbye to him.

But despite the ultimate sadness of the situation, he got to experience years of affection and love, that he would not have known had he been left to fend for himself in Qatar. And none of that would have been possible had PAWS not been on hand to help Bibi when he needed it.

Why I am raising money for PAWS Rescue Qatar

PAWS Rescue Qatar is a not-for-profit animal rescue and shelter in Doha. It rescues stray and abandoned dogs and cats, provides them with safety and care, and works to find them responsible, loving homes in Qatar and overseas.

I got to know some of the team at the shelter when I took Bibi there, and have stayed in touch ever since. I came away with nothing but huge levels of respect and admiration for the people that work there, from the owners to the volunteers and day-to-day runners of the shelter. Seeing firsthand what they were up against, these incredible humans are at times, quite literally risking their lives for these animals. Many dogs are cats are shot and killed in Qatar, murdered for fun and seemingly no reason, on more than one occasion in front of the staff at PAWS.

The organisation depends upon volunteers, fundraising and donations to continue caring for the animals at its shelter, and I know that they are up against it with rising costs and a society that sadly doesn't treat these beautiful animals in any way that can be described as humane. It is heartbreaking.

Without organisations like PAWS, dogs such as Bibi may never receive the opportunity to leave the streets and experience a life in which they are protected and loved.

The challenge

From 6–12 September 2026, I will be trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc, one of Europe’s most demanding long distance mountain routes.

The trail circles the Mont Blanc massif and passes through France, Italy and Switzerland. The complete route is approximately 174 kilometres, with more than 7,400 metres of ascent (Everest is 6,000-7,500 depending on the route!)

I will be completing the trek in seven days, carrying my equipment and camping in the mountains along the route. There will be long days of walking, steep mountain passes, unpredictable weather and plenty of physical and mental challenges, but I will also be sure to keep all supporters updated with my progress with photos and videos as I go.

How your donation will help

100% of every donation, however large or small, will go to PAWS Rescue Qatar and support them in providing a safe haven for homeless and rescued animals.

The money raised will help the organisation continue providing essentials such as shelter, food, veterinary treatment and ongoing care while animals wait for foster or permanent homes.

It is all to common that I see PAWS posting that another animal has been found with gunshot wounds, bullets lodged in helpless bodies, puppies' Mothers beaten until they sadly don't make it. It is inconceivable to me what some humans can do, but PAWS are there to do what they can to give these animals a fighting chance at recovery and a happy ever after. There are also countless happy and positive stories on their pages, particularly on their rehoming section, showing what an incredible difference can be made with the help of donations, volunteers and people like you who are taking the time to read this.

A donation will help give an animal like Bibi a chance to leave fear and uncertainty behind, discover what it feels like to be safe, and hopefully live a long and loving life as many PAWS animals go on to do.

It would mean a lot to me if you could please donate whatever you can, no amount is too small ❤️ it would also be a huge help if you could also share this page with friends, family and fellow animal lovers to bring in as much support as possible. Every donation and share will make a difference and go a way to saving these animals' lives.

Thank you for reading this and supporting me, PAWS Rescue Qatar and Bibi's memory...stay tuned for updates as I go x