Tails and tongues are set to wag this August with the return of pawsome annual fundraising event, Wagathon, initiated by leading fundraising platform, Give as you Live Donate.
Dog owners across the UK are being encouraged to put on their walking boots and join their four-legged friends in walking 9K any day they like throughout August and raise vital charity funds.
Participants can choose to raise money for a charity close to their heart, whether it’s a local dog rescue centre or a well-known national charity — they all need support!
When dog owners sign up, they will receive a special welcome pack, including a Wagathon tag for their dog’s collar — plus, they will be in with the chance of winning some top prizes from Yappy and Scruffs.
It’s super-simple to get involved in the Wagathon challenge. All people need to do is:
1) Pick a charity to support
2) Create a Wagathon fundraising page
3) Share the page with friends, family and colleagues
4) Complete 9K with your K9s
Participants are encouraged to tag @thewagathonpack on Instagram and share their fundraising journey to be in the chance of winning a pawsome prize bundle! For further information, and to kickstart your challenge, visit: donate.giveasyoulive.com/pages/wagathon
Charlotte’s story
In memory of her beloved dog, Freddie, who passed away in June 2022, Charlotte Jones from Lapworth, Warwickshire, will be walking and running 9km every day during the month of August. She’ll be walking 279km in total to raise money for Fetcher Dog Charity.
Fetcher Dog was founded because thousands of dogs are born on the streets of Bosnia every year, condemned to starvation, disease and brutal, inhumane deaths.
Fetcher Dog aims to rescue as many of these dogs as possible and find them forever homes.
So far, Charlotte has reached 50% of her fundraising target. To donate, visit: donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/freddies-walk
Bobby’s story
Lynn Carr, from Seaham, County Durham, owns beautiful spaniels, Willow and Bobby. This August, the trio will be walking 9K in
the Lake District for a charity close to all their hearts, Spaniel Aid.
Back in 2017, when Bobby was only 8 months old, he was given to Spaniel Aid by owners who couldn’t look after him. He spent time in foster carer where he was taught simple things like walking on a lead. After seeing his picture on the charity’s Facebook page, Lynn applied to meet him.
Lynn says: “We visited Bobby with Willow to see if they got on and, a week later, Bobby came to join our family. Without this charity, we would never have come across our boy. For that, we are entirely grateful.”
Unfortunately, Bobby was one of dozens of spaniels up for adoption or needing foster carers. Spaniel Aid is funded entirely by donations and the generosity of the public and people who adopt dogs from them.
To find out more, and to donate, visit: donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/spaniels-by-the-sea
Follow the trio on their Instagram page, @spanielsbythesea, here: www.instagram.com/spanielsbythesea/
Harris and Bracken’s story
Fiona Reid, from Musselburgh, Scotland, and her gorgeous Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds, Harris and Bracken, are on a mission to walk 9K and raise as much money as possible to support a fellow Dachshund called Daphne.
Daphne was recently rescued by DMT Dachshund Rescue and Support Group, a charity that rescues Dachshunds from the meat trade in China and Korea with the clear mission that no Dachshund gets left behind.
Daphne has a broken leg, and someone sadly cut off her tail, leaving her with an infected stump. The charity wasn’t sure whether her leg could be saved at first; but, after examination, Daphne’s leg can be healed at a heavy cost of £3,700.
To support the charity and Daphne with this bill, Fiona, Harris and Bracken will be walking a 9k coastal walk this August in East Lothian.
To offer them suppawt, and to donate, visit: donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/fundraising-for-dmt-dachshund-rescue-and-support-group
Follow the trio on their Instagram page, @theworldaccordingtoharris, here: www.instagram.com/theworldaccordingtoharris/
Buddy’s tail
Daniel Hoole, from Chesterfield, is walking with his spaniel, Buddy, for Phoenix Heroes — a charity that supports veterans.
As a veteran himself, Daniel used Phoenix Heroes when he was suffering from PTSD and, through their support, he was able to get his life back on track by socialising with others, fishing and reflecting on the past.
Daniel says: “The charity is so special to me; they have helped me more than I could put into words. Completing Wagathon with Buddy is great as we are both doing what we love and helping others with similar situations to myself. I recommend this challenge to any dog owners as it’s a fantastic challenge to enjoy with your best friend.”
Instead of completing the 9km in August, Daniel and Buddy will be doing Wagathon around Remembrance Day in Snowdon.
