Hi everyone, we hope you are all well and thank you for visiting our fundraising page for Dogs Trust.

What are we doing?

We are going to walk from the West Coast to the East Coast of Northern England via the Hadrian’s Wall path (84 miles). We are very excited about this adventure and what makes it even more special is that we will be joined by our lovely trio of Border Collies – Jackson, Layla and Cooper! Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, we are hoping to complete the walk in February 2021 and will break the route down over 6 days with overnight stays. We think this is sensible to ensure that we are walking in daylight with the dogs and also to ensure they are well-rested but this will still mean that our shortest day of walking will be around 12 miles! 

About Dogs Trust

Dogs Trust have 21 rehoming centres across the UK in which they care for around 15,000 dogs each year and have vowed to never put a healthy dog to sleep. As well as providing microchips and neutering to dogs, they work very hard to ensure the welfare of all dogs in many different ways, such as :

• The Hope Project: providing veterinary care to dogs whose owners are homeless or suffering a housing crisis;
• The Freedom Project: this includes fostering pets whilst their owners flee domestic violence;
• Providing education workshops to children in schools across the UK;
• Training around 1,800 dogs every week via their “dog school” in order to prevent the behavioural problems that are commonly given as a reason for dogs being handed into the rehoming centres;
• Working alongside other organisations to vaccinate over 1 million dogs against rabies since 2013!

Why?

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on many lives all over the world and has sadly led to the closure of many businesses and organisations. In order to undertake all of the amazing work we have listed above, to keep the rehoming centres open and funding for veterinary care; the Dogs Trust are very reliant on fundraisers and it is no surprise that they have seen a big loss this year.

COVID-19 is likely to have a huge impact on dog owners across the UK who may need the help of Dogs Trust as a result. This may be because routine change has caused their dog to develop behavioural issues or perhaps because vet costs would put a strain on already stretched finances. Not to mention the rise of illegal puppy smuggling as a result of the increased puppy demand in lockdown. Sadly, such puppies are often sent to their new owners with falsified veterinary papers so are likely to be unvaccinated and have been poorly cared for which results in many of them having a variety of health issues. Dogs Trust have rescued an estimated £80,000 (street value) of smuggled puppies since the beginning of lockdown!

In light of the above and looking at the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, Dogs Trust have estimated up to 40,000 stray/abandoned dogs could need help as a result of COVID-19. Dogs Trust really do need our help more now than ever.

We would be so grateful of any donation, however big or small and have included a list to show what your money could help provide:

• £1-£5 - Treats
• £5 - Microchips
• £18 - Bedding
• £35 - Vaccinations
• £21 - Special Formula for Puppies
• £47 - Weekly vet checks
• £40 - Training Classes
• £100 - Neutering

(All of the above information has been taken directly from Dogs Trust sources).

(Donating through JustGiving is simple and completely secure. Your details are safe - JustGiving will never sell them on or send you unwanted emails. What's better is that once you donate the money will be sent directly to Dogs Trust!!!)