To donate directly via Paypal: donations@awabosnia.org, mark for "Lucinda"
send as Friends and Family

Since early childhood Lucinda Hare was a passionate lover of nature and animals, both wild and domestic. For decades she involved herself in rescuing stray dogs, cats and other animals in need, working tirelessly to help suffering street strays in many countries. She did literally whatever she could to raise funds for food, vet care and transport costs, and to find secure homes for the animals. She also gave invaluable moral support to their rescuers, many of them overwhelmed and struggling in the face of a hostile society, who regarded Lucinda as their personal friend.

On Facebook, Lucinda started the Anya’s Blind Cats & Dogs forEver Fundraising Group in memory of a little cat that did not make it from Russia to her. Over time this group divided into others and Lucinda started and ran Ruff Beginnings Special Needs, as she had a special place in her heart for animals with special needs. (The group will soon to be renamed Ruff Beginnings, Lucinda's Legacy). She was also known as Mary Hare on Facebook.

Over the years, Lucinda welcomed into her home many blind or disabled dogs and cats and, most recently, a family of hedgehogs. 

Lucinda was also an accomplished children's author and artist, writing and illustrating the prizewinning series The Dragonsdome Chronicles and several other gorgeous books enjoyed by children and adults alike. Some of her books were based on the stories of her rescues, like Haggis ~ A Blind Street Cat’s Tail: A true story of animal rescue. In these books she sent a beautiful message of hope and love to all animals by encouraging compassion for them in our children. Proceeds of her sales go to support rescues. (You can see photos of Haggis and her Big Black Dog, Charcoal, in the gallery.)

Perhaps most of all, we remember Lucinda as a true friend to all who knew her. She forged strong online connections with people, reaching out to help them even when she was gravely ill. A very special soul. 

A few months ago, Lucinda learned she had secondary cancer and it spread like wildfire throughout her body. She died on the 16th May, 2020. Her sister, Mandy, was with her at the end. 

We are all still coming to terms with this terrible loss, and we can only hope she is with her two most beloved rescues: Smudge, a blind cat who died in tragic circumstances in 2014, and Charcoal, her beloved big black dog, who died of a brain tumour in February this year, not long after Lucinda discovered her own cancer had progressed so devastatingly far. 

Never forgotten, always in our hearts, dearest Lucinda - Cindy, Mary, we know you by all your names - we know you by your work in the world, by the inspiration you have given and continue to give us all. May you rest in peace. 

In Lucinda's memory we are raising funds with this Fundrazr for the benefit of as many of the rescues and rescuers as possible. 

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DONATIONS

If you donate via this Fundrazr, you can adjust the tip amount to 0 before sending your donation. Click on the "Change tip amount" link, go to "Other" and type in 0 before you confirm with "Count me in".

If you prefer to donate directly to Paypal, donate to donations@awabosnia.org but be sure to mark for "Lucinda" and send as Friends and Family, We will upload these as offline donations. The AWAB paypal is in the name of Andrea Kalman.

Please note: the administrators of Ruff Beginnings will be compiling a list of the rescuers and the money donated will go directly to them - other than the fees Paypal deducts, no funds will go for administrative costs or towards any organisation or charity. 

Fundraiser organised by Ruff Beginnnings Special Needs, Kitty Connections Revival and AWABosnia