We are a group of friends who know each other through walking our dogs on Hilly Fields in South East London. On the 27th November, we are walking part of the Green Chain Walk to raise money for a brilliant charity called “Friends of the strays of Greece”.

Greece is indisputably one of the most beautiful, welcoming lands on Earth. For Greek dogs and other animals life can be hard, however. For many it is short and full of suffering.

There are countless strays on the streets. Many Greek people do everything they can. But they are operating in a culture where dogs are often viewed differently from how we see them in the UK. Regarded as a nuisance, diseased, sometimes little more than rubbish, their plight is for the most part ignored.

There is no programme of neutering. Thousands of unwanted puppies are born every day into a world where they are unlikely to know anything other than starvation, thirst, disease and sometimes – as in so many countries, including our own – searing cruelty.

On top of all of this, the dire economic crisis is causing struggling families to abandon their own pets, as they can no longer afford to keep them. So these dogs, too, join the throngs on the streets desperately trying to survive.

"Friends of the Strays of Greece" helps the many Greek people who are working hard to alleviate the situation in their country. The charity supports sterilisation programmes and veterinary treatment, provides funding for shelters and rehomes strays in the UK.

Find out all about their work at www.straysofgreece.org.

No representative of the charity receives any payment for their work, ensuring that all donations are used to benefit the animals. Please sponsor us with whatever you can. Your donation will go directly to the charity. JUST £5.00 WILL HELP FUND MEDICINE, FOOD AND SHELTER, AND EASE AN ANIMAL'S SUFFERING.

If you would like to join us on the walk, we would love to see you. Please contact me below.

Heartfelt thanks.