Pete Barley, who lives near Ross-on-Wye, took part in the Volunteer with Bears event with World Animal Protection last month. He was part of a group of 25 volunteers who raised money and then spent three days at the World Animal Protection funded bear sanctuary helping out with all the work that happens there.

They helped prepare two tonnes of food for the bears each day, painted fences, painted quarantine enclosures, made benches and observed the bears for a scientific study.

Jane Rockliffe, UK Fundraising Partnerships Manager for World Animal Protection told the Ross Gazette: “Pete was a real character and he travels all over the world getting involved with animal welfare and conservation work.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.