Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

This year, in aid of World Rabies Day (28th September), some of the AHVLA rabies team and a few colleagues and friends will be walking the Smugglers' Way in Cornwall - a 37-mile hike across Cornwall, linking the harbours of Boscastle on the Atlantic Coast and Looe on the English Channel. The Way traverses the rugged and picturesque landscape of Bodmin Moor, via the Jamaca Inn, immortalised by DuMaurier and along scenic paths beside the rivers Valency, Fowey and West Looe.  We expect our trek to take three days.

Every ten minutes, somewhere in the world, a family loses a child to rabies, which still kills over 55,000 people a year. Parents stand and watch helplessly as their child dies an indescribable death, terrified and always conscious of what is happening to them.  It is most often children who are affected, because they are small and oblivious to the odd behaviour exhibited by rabid dogs.  Often the only approach to control from governments is the mass, inhumane culling of stray dog populations, which has little effect in control.

Yet rabies is 100% preventable. Had the parents had access to treatment after the dog bite, their child would have survived. Had the dog been vaccinated, the child would not have been infected. This is why the message of the Global Alliance for Rabies Control to educate and vaccinate is so important.

The charity is working with scientists, veterinarians, governments and health workers to sponsor projects like the one in the Philippines, where children themselves help to educate the community about the importance of vaccinating their dogs and seeking treatment after bites. They are close to making their island rabies-free, and providing a model for tens of thousands of other communities throughout the world.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.