Hi my name Is Sarah and in celebration of World Animal Day I will be taking part in an abseil off Peacehaven Cliffs. All funds raised will go to International Animal Rescue (IAR) which is a British wildlife and conservation non - profit organisation that aims to protect and mitigate the threats to wildlife and habitats. Alan Knight CEO of IAR was awarded an OBE in recognition of his services to animal welfare.

In 2009 IAR successfully bought the cruel practice of dancing bears that were being poached from the wild and forced to perform for tourists to an end . The rescued bears now live in a semi-natural environment in sanctuaries.

In 2013 IAR established the first rescue and rehabilitation centre for orangutans which has allowed the rescue of 250 orangutans and has offered rehabilitated care enabling more that 160 orangutans to be returned to protected national parks.

In 1998 IAR set up a rescue centre to address the welfare of the stray dog population in Goa. The sterilisation and vaccination programmes dramatically reduced the number of strays , and as a result of the anti rabies vaccinations cases of rabies in humans were eliminated in the areas where IAR operates.

International Animal Rescues vetinary teams in India and Indonesia routinely sterilise stray cats as a means of reducing and controlling their populations.

Through Catastrophes Cat Rescue IAR gives sanctuary to unwanted cats in the UK . The cats receive veterinary treatment and are spayed or neutered.