There are times when we need to stop yapping (or in my case, writing) about issues, and actually stick our necks out and do something about them.

It is for this reason that I readily agreed to help the Coalition against Spring Hunting*, which needs to collect 35,000 signatures for a referendum to be held. Once I received all the information, I had to take the first step – approaching people I knew to sign the petition. This is where I almost baulked, because as I rule I hate pestering friends and acquaintances about political issues (and yes, this is political). How would they react? Would I end up arguing with them?

Finally, I plucked up my nerve and asked a friend who told me she had already signed it, but she was sure I would have no problems in gathering signatures because many people feel very strongly about hunting. How right she was! Within half an hour, at the tennis club where I am a member, I had gathered almost 30 signatures and filled out the two sheets I had rather cautiously taken with me. I have just printed out more petition sheets and will continue gathering more signatures in the next few days.

Even though I had my little ‘speech’ all prepared to explain what it was all about, I didn’t even need it – as soon as I uttered the words “spring hunting” people were reaching out for my clipboard and pen to sign the petition and calling over their friends and relatives to do the same. I was very positively surprised and impressed at how strong the feeling ‘out there’ is against the shooting down of birds in the name of sport.

Can we make a difference? Is the voice of the anti-hunting lobby strong enough to finally make politicians sit up and take notice of us, instead of constantly pandering to hunters wielding a gun?  After the overwhelming reaction I received last night, I think the answer to that is ‘yes’.

Find out for yourself – if you want to make your voice heard and help out in this cause, just email cashmalta2013@gmail.com and you will receive instructions on how to gather signatures.

Together we can do it – we just need to take the plunge.

*The coalition is made up of 11 organisations:  

Alternattiva Demokratika, Birdlife Malta, Coalition for Animal Rights, Din l-Art Helwa, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Gaia Foundation, Moviment Graffiti, Greenhouse Malta, Nature Trust and the Ramblers Association of Malta.