Britain is a nation of animal-lovers who don't want to see animals suffer needlessly- which is why millions of people every day give cruelty the cold shoulder by not buying fur, and we'd like to see even more people to know why it should be avoided.
The fur trade is a violent, bloody industry motivated purely by vanity. Every Year millions of animals are kept in appalling conditions in tiny, barren wire cages on fur farms or have had their legs crushed by traps set in the wild. Some mothers desperate to get back to their young end up chewing off their own leg. Our message is simple. Animals are not ours to wear.
The Fur Trade
* Every Year the fur industry traps, drowns, clubs, gasses, electrocutes and skins alive millions of animals - all in the name of greed and vanity.
* Day in, day out, life for animals on fur farms is hell. They spend their entire lives imprisoned in small bare mesh cages. Their natural instincts to roam are cruelly stiffled. The stress and deprivation caused by these conditions often leads to the animals performing unnatural repetitive behaviour and can lead to self mutilation
* In the wild, animals are caught in bone-crushing leg hold traps. Animals may suffer for days, slowly dying of hunger, thirst, disease, blood loss and predation. Trappers who find still-conscious victims in their traps kill the animals by beating, bludgeoning and/or drowning them
* Distressing footage from fur markets in China - Now the Worlds biggest fur producer - shows Cats, Dogs, Racoons, Foxes, Rabbits are stuffed into tiny cages, then skinned alive. Much of the fur now sold around the World, comes from China, where there is not a single law to protect animals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSSMBhK_F2k&feature=fvw
I am happy to bare my skin if it means an animal gets to keep theirs! Unfortunately we live in a sensationalist society and it can be difficult to get headlines to high light things going on in the World.
Most people would be horrified to know that every Year in China 2 million Dogs and Cats are killed for their fur - most of this is passed off as other animals and sold on as Mink, Rabbit fur etc
Questions
Its freezing outside, some people would argue that you need fur to keep you warm?
This is one of the most ludicrous arguments for wearing fur. When mountaineers climb Everest they don't do it in a fur coat! There are countless modern man made fibres, which are warmer, lighter and more weather proof than fur. With all of the chic, cruelty-free options available, there's no reason to wear an animal skin to keep you warm!
Fur is 'natural' and environmentally friendly?
Toxic chemicals are used to preserve and process the skins, and the waste from processing plants and fur farms poison rivers and streams. It also take 20 times more energy to process a coat made from animal fur as it does from a fake fur. And fur coats are NOT biodegradable - they contain chemicals to stop them rotting.
Isn't it a matter of choice?
Its the 21st Century, people can be cruel or kind . With so many fashionable alternatives to leather and fur, there is no excuse for wearing animal skins
What about vintage fur?
Its doesn't matter if an animal died yesterday for a fur or 50 Years ago, its all a result of cruelty.
When you wear a vintage fur, people see you in the street it sends out a message that wearing fur is acceptable! It desensitises people to seeing it and sends out a message that fur it fashionable and ok to wear. People do not know when they walk past you in the street if you are wearing a fur coat which is vintage or bought recently.
Is Fur back?
We've been hearing cries of "Fur is back" by the fur industry's PR machine every Year as people get paid off to let it be worn on the catwalk, but public opinion shows that the majority of the people in this Country are opposed to fur. The top fashions stores reflect this with everyone from Harvey Nichols to Selfridges, to Topshop who have fur-free policies.
The fashion industry and fur
There is nothing glamourous about killing animals for their fur. The fur trade is a violent, bloody industry. trapping, beating, drowning and ripping an animals' skin from their backs for vanity is absolutely indefensible. Animal cruelty is never in fashion.
The true talented visionaries , like Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Bouwer are able to design beautiful, fashionable and popular clothing without getting blood on their hands. They are able to attract a young hip crowd without cruelty.
Why is fur worse than eating meat?
We have publicised many ways to help animals, and forgoing fur is one of the easiest! Those who cite other cruelties in the World as an excuse to wear fur are simply copping out. The Fur industry is particularly horrific.
We want people to avoid real fur this Winter and wrap up warm in something that isn't the result of unimaginable cruelty. We want an end to the fur industry for good.
We will continue to campaign and to publicly draw attention to this issue in new and creative ways until people no longer wear fur and stores stop stocking it!
What people can do to help
The best and easiest thing people can do to help animals is not to wear them. Please don't buy fur!! And also to inform friends and family of what goes on.
To learn more visit www.PETA.org.uk
About Me
- Monica Harris
- I am a fulltime model and presenter living in London. I love it here and have had some amazing opportunities for which I am completely grateful! I devote a lot of time helping charities such as PETA the animal rights group and I have recently set up something called Gathering of Minds. Please check out the page I have created for more info x facebook.com/gatheringofminds facebook.com/MonicaHarrisx Twitter - @MonicaHarris
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Friday, 8 October 2010
Success!
Sorry I've not been and updated in a while, the lead up to the fight and final organising was crazy!
I had lots of new updates to make to the Models Fight Night website, press articles to sort out, filming to organise for the dvd extra's and planning what they were going to do for the night and also Rubie Planson and Tara McDonald were performing so need to sort that out too on top of training. Then, the unthinkable happened! While I was training, only 1 week before the fight, I damaged my Rotator Cuff on my left shoulder.
At first, I didn't think anything of it, I'd never even heard of a rotator cuff before then lol. The pain was awful and everytime I tried to straighten my left arm out in front of me, or bend the elbow (like when you punch using a hook) I was in agony. I was advised to put ice on and then next day I got some anti inflammatory's from my doctor.
I began physio on the Sat and then realised what I'd done. Rob, my physio said if it was a professional fight I wouldn't be allowed to fight because I was at a massive unfair disadvantage! Not only was I fighting someone who was 10kg heavier and a 2'' longer reach but now I couldn't use my best weapon, my jab! I was so depressed.
I couldn't do any training but had to try to move my arm so the muscle didn't seize up. The last group training session I went to but couldn't do anything and had to practice a Southpaw stance in case I needed to switch during the fight if I was in too much pain.
There was no way I wasn't fighting, no matter how much it hurt. I hadn't worked on this idea for over a Year, trained for 9 Months and not worked for the last 3 Months to train solid to miss out. Even if it meant the odds were stacked against me winning, I wasn't going to loose.
I am a big believe in visualisation, and I keep imagining the fight, seeing me winning over and over.
In the week leading up to the fight, I was surprised I still wasn't nervous. I put it down to being distracted by organising peoples tickets and where my guests were sitting and final things for the fight night like sorting out the girls tops and getting my boots to fight in.
On the day of the fight, I woke up feeling like it was Christmas! I know! weird, all the girls were texting me about how nervous they were but I felt so excited. I'd waiting for this night since I decided to do it and now it was finally here and I couldn't wait!
My friends started to arrive and couldn't believe how calm I was. Although in the back of my mind, was my injury. I keep visualising it being ok and ignored the pain.
I arrived at The Troxy, sorted the Ring Girls outfits out. They looked wicked and all burlesque in Red and Blue basques. Then organised the promo girls and told them what they needed to do. After that I spoke to Tara and Rubie and gave them everything they needed and went and got changed!
The atmosphere was great and the place was busy with people sitting down to eat the fantastic dinner at their tables.
The first auction took place and the items were amazing! I wanted to bid myself at some points!
Then, the first fight kicked off. My heart was racing with excitement! I was fighting last and couldn't wait. I snacked on protein bars and drank 2ls of water to prepare my body and muscles.
At the interval I went upstairs and had my medical done. My heart rate was a bit fast because I was so excited and had been running round the place saying hello to everyone. I decided to just go and chill out and visualise the fight. While the other girls were warming up, doing pad work, I decided to save my energy and my shoulder in case it went during the fight. I was supposed to have a different head guard because one was too big and the other too clumpy and restrictive on your view but was told a few hours before it hadn't been gotten for me! I resigned myself to have to wear a head guard which wasn't right for me. Nightmare! I didn't visualise that lol!
Before long it was my turn :) Hannah and I decided as our fight was last we would make a bit of a show with our entrance! I have to say it was the best feeling in the World!!! I just wanted to fight, I was so pumped up but my mind was as calm as an ocean. I felt relaxed. I got into the ring and thought to myself, control, breathing and relax.
To know what happened in the fight you will need to get the DVD but what I will say is my shoulder was killing me throughout the fight with every jab, but I had to keep going. There was no way I was loosing. And it paid off
I won :) I felt it was easy and could have easily boxed on. I kept my cool, kept breathing and breezed it.
Steve Collins then announced Hannah and I had won best fight of the night! I couldn't believe it, I was so happy! I felt like I'd won the lottery! The feeling I had that night I can't put into words. Winning my fight then winning best fight. Mint!
I loved the night so much, the crowd were going wild through all the fights and everyone was loving it!
Thank you to Gary for training us so well! and also co organising the event. Thank you to all the girls for training so hard and putting all the effort into. Thanks to everyone who came to support me and the other girls. We couldn't have done it without you!
I will let you know when the DVD is available. I have big plans for next Years so watch this space!
Monica x
I had lots of new updates to make to the Models Fight Night website, press articles to sort out, filming to organise for the dvd extra's and planning what they were going to do for the night and also Rubie Planson and Tara McDonald were performing so need to sort that out too on top of training. Then, the unthinkable happened! While I was training, only 1 week before the fight, I damaged my Rotator Cuff on my left shoulder.
At first, I didn't think anything of it, I'd never even heard of a rotator cuff before then lol. The pain was awful and everytime I tried to straighten my left arm out in front of me, or bend the elbow (like when you punch using a hook) I was in agony. I was advised to put ice on and then next day I got some anti inflammatory's from my doctor.
I began physio on the Sat and then realised what I'd done. Rob, my physio said if it was a professional fight I wouldn't be allowed to fight because I was at a massive unfair disadvantage! Not only was I fighting someone who was 10kg heavier and a 2'' longer reach but now I couldn't use my best weapon, my jab! I was so depressed.
I couldn't do any training but had to try to move my arm so the muscle didn't seize up. The last group training session I went to but couldn't do anything and had to practice a Southpaw stance in case I needed to switch during the fight if I was in too much pain.
There was no way I wasn't fighting, no matter how much it hurt. I hadn't worked on this idea for over a Year, trained for 9 Months and not worked for the last 3 Months to train solid to miss out. Even if it meant the odds were stacked against me winning, I wasn't going to loose.
I am a big believe in visualisation, and I keep imagining the fight, seeing me winning over and over.
In the week leading up to the fight, I was surprised I still wasn't nervous. I put it down to being distracted by organising peoples tickets and where my guests were sitting and final things for the fight night like sorting out the girls tops and getting my boots to fight in.
On the day of the fight, I woke up feeling like it was Christmas! I know! weird, all the girls were texting me about how nervous they were but I felt so excited. I'd waiting for this night since I decided to do it and now it was finally here and I couldn't wait!
My friends started to arrive and couldn't believe how calm I was. Although in the back of my mind, was my injury. I keep visualising it being ok and ignored the pain.
I arrived at The Troxy, sorted the Ring Girls outfits out. They looked wicked and all burlesque in Red and Blue basques. Then organised the promo girls and told them what they needed to do. After that I spoke to Tara and Rubie and gave them everything they needed and went and got changed!
The atmosphere was great and the place was busy with people sitting down to eat the fantastic dinner at their tables.
The first auction took place and the items were amazing! I wanted to bid myself at some points!
Then, the first fight kicked off. My heart was racing with excitement! I was fighting last and couldn't wait. I snacked on protein bars and drank 2ls of water to prepare my body and muscles.
At the interval I went upstairs and had my medical done. My heart rate was a bit fast because I was so excited and had been running round the place saying hello to everyone. I decided to just go and chill out and visualise the fight. While the other girls were warming up, doing pad work, I decided to save my energy and my shoulder in case it went during the fight. I was supposed to have a different head guard because one was too big and the other too clumpy and restrictive on your view but was told a few hours before it hadn't been gotten for me! I resigned myself to have to wear a head guard which wasn't right for me. Nightmare! I didn't visualise that lol!
Before long it was my turn :) Hannah and I decided as our fight was last we would make a bit of a show with our entrance! I have to say it was the best feeling in the World!!! I just wanted to fight, I was so pumped up but my mind was as calm as an ocean. I felt relaxed. I got into the ring and thought to myself, control, breathing and relax.
To know what happened in the fight you will need to get the DVD but what I will say is my shoulder was killing me throughout the fight with every jab, but I had to keep going. There was no way I was loosing. And it paid off
I won :) I felt it was easy and could have easily boxed on. I kept my cool, kept breathing and breezed it.
Steve Collins then announced Hannah and I had won best fight of the night! I couldn't believe it, I was so happy! I felt like I'd won the lottery! The feeling I had that night I can't put into words. Winning my fight then winning best fight. Mint!
I loved the night so much, the crowd were going wild through all the fights and everyone was loving it!
Thank you to Gary for training us so well! and also co organising the event. Thank you to all the girls for training so hard and putting all the effort into. Thanks to everyone who came to support me and the other girls. We couldn't have done it without you!
I will let you know when the DVD is available. I have big plans for next Years so watch this space!
Monica x
Monday, 6 September 2010
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Models Fight Night in the Media
The fight is now 3 weeks away and I cannot wait!
I will be going on Soccer AM this Saturday 4th Sept as a Soccerette, make sure you all tune in to see what my Party Trick is! I am sure some of you might be able to guess though haha
GX Poker Magazine have done a brilliant feature this Month about the fight so make sure you pick that up from your Local newsagents.
Models Fight Night will be feature on the lads mag website this coming Month and I will give you all the heads up when the info is up and running.
Ex Gladiator Jet, Diane Youdale interviewed me about the fight for her Radio show on BBC Radio Tees. Diane is lovely and very easy to speak to :)
Training is still going very well :) Gary has been putting me through my paces, and I have also been doing a lot of Circuit Training outside of my sessions too in preparation for the fight.
I have also had some great mental training from Sports Psychologist Niyc Pidgeon. Thanks for all your help :) You can read her blog here http://www.niycpidge.blogspot.com/
Monica x
www.ModelsFightNight.co.uk
I will be going on Soccer AM this Saturday 4th Sept as a Soccerette, make sure you all tune in to see what my Party Trick is! I am sure some of you might be able to guess though haha
GX Poker Magazine have done a brilliant feature this Month about the fight so make sure you pick that up from your Local newsagents.
Models Fight Night will be feature on the lads mag website this coming Month and I will give you all the heads up when the info is up and running.
Ex Gladiator Jet, Diane Youdale interviewed me about the fight for her Radio show on BBC Radio Tees. Diane is lovely and very easy to speak to :)
Training is still going very well :) Gary has been putting me through my paces, and I have also been doing a lot of Circuit Training outside of my sessions too in preparation for the fight.
I have also had some great mental training from Sports Psychologist Niyc Pidgeon. Thanks for all your help :) You can read her blog here http://www.niycpidge.blogspot.com/
Monica x
www.ModelsFightNight.co.uk
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Not long to go!
Things are getting hectic! I have a meeting today to arrange having a documentary style show filmed in the lead up to the fight and also the fight night itself.
I am also having the Fight Night filmed for a DVD, so this mean all those who can't make it to the Fight can see what they missed and for those who did make it and want to have something to remember the night by. There will also be some extra bits and pieces on the DVD too such as interviews with the girls and behind the scenes footage.
We have quite a lot of articles going in the press over the next few weeks, I will let you know about that as they are released.
Its group training tonight and lots of sparring to be had :) Here's a video from my training yesterday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03K3nalPRxQ
Monica xx
www.ModelsFightNight.co.uk
I am also having the Fight Night filmed for a DVD, so this mean all those who can't make it to the Fight can see what they missed and for those who did make it and want to have something to remember the night by. There will also be some extra bits and pieces on the DVD too such as interviews with the girls and behind the scenes footage.
We have quite a lot of articles going in the press over the next few weeks, I will let you know about that as they are released.
Its group training tonight and lots of sparring to be had :) Here's a video from my training yesterday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03K3nalPRxQ
Monica xx
www.ModelsFightNight.co.uk
Sunday, 15 August 2010
5 Weeks 4 Days
Well not partying is easier than I thought it would ever be, even though all my friends are out I don't feel bothered about missing out on a few weekends because of how much I am enjoying the training. I would have not said that a Year ago! I would have opted to party over exercise any day. Besides, I know I am off to Ibiza straight after the fight :) Closing parties here I come. I will appreciate it more because its been so long since I was out in a club or at a party.
Here's today's routine
Woke up and did 20 Minutes of skipping
Breakfast
1 bowl of porridge, 1 banana and a handful of sultana's
Snack
Banana
Went to the gym
20 Mins on treadmill (Level 9), 10 Mins on Crosstrainer (Level 15)
Trained Arms and Core
Lunch
Wholemeal Pasta, Tomatoes and sweetcorn
Protein shake
Snack
Rice cakes and Banana
www.ModelsFightNight.co.uk
Here's today's routine
Woke up and did 20 Minutes of skipping
Breakfast
1 bowl of porridge, 1 banana and a handful of sultana's
Snack
Banana
Went to the gym
20 Mins on treadmill (Level 9), 10 Mins on Crosstrainer (Level 15)
Trained Arms and Core
Lunch
Wholemeal Pasta, Tomatoes and sweetcorn
Protein shake
Snack
Rice cakes and Banana
www.ModelsFightNight.co.uk
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
6 Weeks 1 Day :)
Oh my Days! I just want the fight night to hurry up! I've been having a lot of sleepless nights since I started training in Jan because I am so excited. I literally cannot switch off on a night for combination's and things I've learned going through my head. I love it but so tired some days. Hope it's not going to get worse and effect my training!
Anyway here's today's workout and food :)
No supplements because I forgot to bring them with me. Grrr!
Woke up and completed 15 mins of Skipping
Drank 1 Pint of warm water with half lemon Juice
Breakfast
1 Bowl of porridge, 1 Banana made with Soya Milk
At about Midday I did press up's and Tricep dips.
1 Protien bar
Drank 1 pint of warm water with half Lemon Juice
Lunch
3 Veggie sausages, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots
4pm Went to sparring with Lisa. Very good session, even sacked off the head guards at one point! I hate those damn things, for one, the blows to the head still hurt and they mess up your hair! Nightmare.
Drank protein shake. Yak! But a must.
6.30pm Went to the Gym
Trained arms and core
1 Protein bar
15 Mins Skipping then zzzzzzz
Goodnight World xx
Anyway here's today's workout and food :)
No supplements because I forgot to bring them with me. Grrr!
Woke up and completed 15 mins of Skipping
Drank 1 Pint of warm water with half lemon Juice
Breakfast
1 Bowl of porridge, 1 Banana made with Soya Milk
At about Midday I did press up's and Tricep dips.
1 Protien bar
Drank 1 pint of warm water with half Lemon Juice
Lunch
3 Veggie sausages, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots
4pm Went to sparring with Lisa. Very good session, even sacked off the head guards at one point! I hate those damn things, for one, the blows to the head still hurt and they mess up your hair! Nightmare.
Drank protein shake. Yak! But a must.
6.30pm Went to the Gym
Trained arms and core
1 Protein bar
15 Mins Skipping then zzzzzzz
Goodnight World xx
Monday, 9 August 2010
6 Weeks 3 Days
Woke up nice and early :) Had my usual pint of warm water and half a lemon juice the went to the park and completed 15 Mins of Skipping. Wow that woke me up!
Breakfast
1 bowl of porridge made with Soya milk, I banana and a handful of sultana's
Supplements - CLA, Vitamin C, Zinc, Iron, Vitamin B6, Vitamin D
Snack
Natural Low Fat Yogurt, 1 Banana, Strawberry's and a hand full of Raspberries
Lunch
4 Quorn vegetarian sausages - full of protein, no fat with 2 wholemeal pitta bread, Tomato and mustard
Supplement - CLA
Well this is a delayed update but I went to my mates to spar and we did a 30 minute round! Was great and got to practice a lot of my combination's. Over the next few weeks leading up to the fight I will be getting my punches water tight :)
Dinner
Soup
Breakfast
1 bowl of porridge made with Soya milk, I banana and a handful of sultana's
Supplements - CLA, Vitamin C, Zinc, Iron, Vitamin B6, Vitamin D
Snack
Natural Low Fat Yogurt, 1 Banana, Strawberry's and a hand full of Raspberries
Lunch
4 Quorn vegetarian sausages - full of protein, no fat with 2 wholemeal pitta bread, Tomato and mustard
Supplement - CLA
Well this is a delayed update but I went to my mates to spar and we did a 30 minute round! Was great and got to practice a lot of my combination's. Over the next few weeks leading up to the fight I will be getting my punches water tight :)
Dinner
Soup
Sunday, 8 August 2010
Just over 6 and 4 Days weeks to go.
I have decided to do a diary of my 6 weeks leading up to my fight.
Go up early today - even though it's Sunday, no rest for the wicked.
15 Min's of skipping - sounds easy but not if you do it with high leg raises.
Breakfast time
1 bowl of porridge with a handful of sultana's and I large Banana
Drink - 1 pint of warm water, with half a lemon's juice.
15 Min Brisk walk. Was quite painful, I seem to have pulled my quad! Not good
Supplements - CLA, Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D, Iron, Vitamin B6
Went to the Gym and worked my arms - biceps, triceps and shoulders, did 45 mins.
Snack
Promax Bar - full of protein. Important for muscle growth and repair.
Lunch
Broccoli, Cabbage, Sweetcorn, Quorn Chicken Pieces
1 Peach
Supplement - CLA
Snack
Natural Fat Free Yogurt with 1 Banana, 4 strawberry's and raspberry's
10 Mins Skipping
Supplement CLA
www.ModelsFightNight.co.uk
Go up early today - even though it's Sunday, no rest for the wicked.
15 Min's of skipping - sounds easy but not if you do it with high leg raises.
Breakfast time
1 bowl of porridge with a handful of sultana's and I large Banana
Drink - 1 pint of warm water, with half a lemon's juice.
15 Min Brisk walk. Was quite painful, I seem to have pulled my quad! Not good
Supplements - CLA, Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D, Iron, Vitamin B6
Went to the Gym and worked my arms - biceps, triceps and shoulders, did 45 mins.
Snack
Promax Bar - full of protein. Important for muscle growth and repair.
Lunch
Broccoli, Cabbage, Sweetcorn, Quorn Chicken Pieces
1 Peach
Supplement - CLA
Snack
Natural Fat Free Yogurt with 1 Banana, 4 strawberry's and raspberry's
10 Mins Skipping
Supplement CLA
www.ModelsFightNight.co.uk
Boxing
Well it's been quite some time since my last post! A lot has happened since the good old Miss Adventure days, but it's all good :)
A lot of you know I have started a Models Fight Night, the aim of which is to raise as much money as possible to send Children in permanent care on the holiday of a life time!
I have been asked by a lot of people how my training and diet's going so I thought I'd let you all know on here :)
You can visit the website here
www.ModelsFightNight.co.uk
Monica x
A lot of you know I have started a Models Fight Night, the aim of which is to raise as much money as possible to send Children in permanent care on the holiday of a life time!
I have been asked by a lot of people how my training and diet's going so I thought I'd let you all know on here :)
You can visit the website here
www.ModelsFightNight.co.uk
Monica x
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