By Isle of Wight Observer
During a visit to the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown, the grandchildren of Jim Isted, better known as ‘Jurassic Jim’, learned of the plight of bears Balu and Benji in Azerbaijan, and the money needed to bring them to a better and happier life on the Island.
The children decided to fund-raise money for the sanctuary during their summer holidays. They collected shells, hag stones (small stones with naturally occurring holes), drift-wood and sea glass, and made things with pebbles. The youngsters managed to raise £230 over the summer, which they presented to the sanctuary on Friday.
Their donation was accepted by Christine, on behalf of the Wildheart Sanctuary, who showed the children where the bears will be cared for once they arrive.
The sanctuary has raised £125,00 of its £150,000 goal to build a new enclosure for the bears.