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Collingwood Football Club Captain Nick Maxwell has announced a goal of a different kind for the new season. This morning at the Magpies’ Victoria Park, Nick revealed his new role as ambassador for animal welfare charity the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and a campaign to raise $500,000 to help end the cruelty of bear baiting in Pakistan.

Launching the Bricks for Bears campaign, Nick unveiled a mural painted by Melbourne artist SEAR at the historic home of Collingwood Football Club. He called on animal lovers and AFL fans throughout Australia to help him reach his goal.

At bricksforbears.org.au individuals can buy virtual bricks for an online sanctuary wall. One virtual brick costs just $10. Each donation will help WSPA to build a real sanctuary in Pakistan and to provide bears that are rescued with the long-term care they need.

During a bear baiting event, a bear is tied to a post in the centre of a stadium. Its claws have been blunted and its teeth extracted. Dogs are set upon it. When it looks like the fight will be fatal, the dogs are removed. But the exhausted bear will be made to fight again – up to seven times in one day. All of this takes place in the name of ‘sport’.

Speaking at the launch today Nick said: ‘Bear baiting isn’t sport. It’s animal cruelty. Until recently I knew nothing about it, but now I want to do everything I can to help WSPA rescue and care for these bears.’

70 bears are still being made to fight in Pakistan, despite the fact that bear baiting is illegal. WSPA’s current sanctuary is full and the animal welfare charity cannot continue its work until a new one is built. The physical and mental trauma these bears have endured means they will never be able to experience life in the wild. They need to be provided with the space, the care, the treatment and the nourishment that they need for the rest of their lives.

Nick added: ‘Reaching the goal of $500,000 will allow WSPA to do just that. I play football because I want to, but these bears are not so lucky. Go to bricksforbears.org.au and help WSPA to end the cruelty of bear baiting.’



For further WSPA information: Louise Fitzsimons (02) 9902 8013 / 0414 775 275 / louisefitzsimons@wspa.org.au

For further Collingwood information: Nick Hulett (03) 8412 0069 / nickh@collingwoodfc.com.au


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