Hello, my name is Alan Smith.

I am an extremely cute (so I am told - repeatedly) puppy belonging to Sophie and Jon. 

This year - also coincidentally my first year so I don't really know how I can say this year and not just soon - my mum is going on a long journey, the length of the UK in fact, to raise awareness and funds for IAPWA. 

She won't be alone though. The newly formed IAPWA challenge team (of which I was - probably - the first person/dog to be invited) will be joining her for each stage. She will be biking, kayaking, rafting, running and scooting the WHOLE way to where I will meet her. But then, for the very last (and might I add most important) section from St Just to Land's End, she will be joined by me (and Jon, but mainly ME) for the 8 mile walk to the finish.

I don't want you to think that this will be a walk in the park (or a walk on the South West Coastal path) for me. I am just a little puppy after all and will be less than a year old when we go. But that is not the only challenge. I have promised to be on my absolute BEST behaviour for the length of the walk. 

That's right my furry friends. I am not going to be running off to chase other dogs (unless of course we are in a safe place to do so), I won't be scouring the bushes for nasty smelling things to try to eat, I won't be rolling in things in the grass, or at least, I will be trying my very best not to. I know that mum will want to show everyone how well behaved I can be and just this once, I will do my best! I also know that there will probably be a lot of photos at the finish and I will have to look my very best so that I can sneak into every one.

And that is not all - I would really appreciate it if you would join us for this last section too. It would be great to show mum what a great job she has done in getting so far and she absolutely loves it when we see lots of dogs on our walks - so she will love it. Not only that, I am very friendly and I love to play so I will have a great time if you can make it too. You guys don't have to promise to be on your best behaviour either so don't worry about not being able to sniff and roll!

A note from my parents:

Thanks so much for reading Alan's story and for supporting IAPWA in any way you can. 

As a charity, IAPWA do incredible work in improving the welfare of dogs (amongst other animals) on a worldwide scale; particularly in Romania, Borneo, Penang and the Philippines, where dogs are not treated with the compassion and respect they deserve. IAPWA run neutering programmes and are also active in the fight against the disgusting dog meat trade - which means they are constantly improving the chances for dogs in these countries to live better and hopefully happy lives.

Please do give whatever you can to this great cause!

If you can make it to St Just to walk with Alan and us it would be a great finish to my 1000 mile trip from John O'Groats.