I have been volunteering for Streetpaws for almost a year now and have decided to help raise money for this amazing cause by running my first every half marathon at Newcastle's Great North Run.

Street paws has outreaches across the UK which provide veterinary care to animals belonging to homeless and vulnerable people. Once a month volunteer vets and nurses go out to administer wormer and flea treatments, vaccinations, perform health checks and provide any necessary medical attention. The charity also works to provide temporary care for animals whose owners are taken to hospital. Currently most hostels do not allow animals, giving owners no choice but to stay on the streets in poor weather. Streetpaws is working to provide accommodation which allows owners to stay with their animals.

Volunteering for this charity has opened my eyes to the homeless community, how hard life is on the streets and how scarily easy it is to get there in the current economic climate. Anybody with a pet understands how a furry little face provides comfort on a bad day and I for one, have relied on my animals when times have become hard. Times don't get much harder than living on the streets. Animals provide comfort, companionship protection and warmth to people who can become so lonely, vulnerable and cold.

This is Chaos, whose owners were rough sleeping in Sunderland at the time this photo was taken. He is wearing is cooling bandana given by Streetpaws for the hot weather. Chaos receives regular health checks and medication for arthritis. He is looking very well for a 10 year old Staffie.