Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am raising money for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home by running the 2019 London Marathon on April 28th.

Battersea might be a household name but two facts about the animal shelter often surprise people...

a) they are funded purely by people like you and do not receive a penny of government funding.

b) unlike many shelters, Battersea have an open-intake policy. This means they never turn a dog or cat away, regardless of age, breed, medical condition or behaviour.

That's why Battersea have to be prepared for some long stay residents, such as Daisy the mastiff cross [pictured playing in a Battersea paddock].

The nine-year-old pooch first arrived at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home eight years ago. A very young dog at the time, Daisy was snapped up; spending just 15 days at the shelter.

However, when Daisy found herself back at Battersea at the age of nine, it was a much different story with prospective owners being far more reluctant to take on an older dog, which can often be the case.

One hundred days passed, and still Daisy was unable to find a forever home; despite her gentle nature and fondness for cuddles.

Daisy’s tear-jerking story went viral, with animal lovers far and wide expressing heartache at the plight of this beautiful, overlooked dog. And her story eventually reached her future family.

A family from Hertfordshire were greatly moved by Daisy’s sad tale, and knew she was the perfect companion for them. After 124 days at Battersea, Daisy was finally able to go home to a loving family... just in time for Christmas!

The around the clock care, veterinary attention and ongoing training for thousands of dogs per year like Daisy is only possible due to the generosity of our supporters. 

So to encourage your support, I've somehow agreed to run 26 miles on April 28th 2019 as part of the London Marathon. Having barely run 3 miles before, I'm anticipating quite a high level of pain. So please donate if you:

a) love dogs and/or cats
b) hate me
c) like me

Thank you so much.

Paddy