5 quick questions with… Gold Charity Runner, Paul Hellier

What animal best represents you?

I’d have to say an elephant. I have a pretty good memory for detail, I’m very loyal, I’m vegetarian, and I like to travel around looking for greener pastures.

When you were a kid, did you ever pretend you were an animal?

Like a lot of kids, I pretended I was an eagle. I often see the White Breasted Sea Eagle on my morning beach runs and admire their power and majesty. I often wonder what it would be like floating up there watching all the silly humans worry about how neat their lawns are.

Chameleons can change colour and the mantis shrimp can see colours humans can’t. If you could have an animal strength, what would it be?

The ability to fly would be right up there, but everyone would say that. So, to be a bit different, I’d say: to effortlessly power through the water like a shark. They’re incredible the way they glide, barely moving. And then, when they need to go quickly, a flick of the tail and they’re gone.

Do you pamper your pets?

Oh, yes, my dog Moose is practically my shadow. The name suits very well – he is big and very mellow. He was an outside dog… for about an hour. Now he comes everywhere with me and has his very own lounge plus a selection of beds around the house and sometimes eats better than I do.

Finally, what do you love about the City2Surf?

It’s the atmosphere. All those people having a great day no matter how fast or slow they are. There are smiles everywhere, and we can never have too many smiles. Also, running by a band on a rooftop in double bay cracking out a rock tune makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

Do you want to be a Gold Charity Runner?

If you’re keen to run in Sydney’s City2Surf on Sunday 14th of August and help raise funds for animals in need, then entering as a Gold Charity Runner is the way to go. Here are just some of the benefits:

• Free City2Surf race entry, official photos, goody bag and a t-shirt
• One-on-one support to help you achieve your fundraising goal
• The triumphant feeling that comes from knowing every dollar you raise is saving animals all over the world from suffering