Could your furry friend be the top dog?
Derian House Children’s Hospice is inviting dog owners to take the lead and walk every day throughout February to raise vital funds for the charity.
Pooches and their fur parents will take to their heels in the new four-legged fundraiser with a goal to rack up 100km – equivalent to two miles per day.
Awards will be dished out for dogs that go above and beyond, from ‘Picture Pawfect’ to ‘Mutts Amount Raised’.
Derian House’s very own Pets as Therapy dog, Shuna, will be taking part along with her owner Linda Martlew.
The German shorthaired pointer has already smashed the £100 target set for each dog, and has raised almost £400 for Derian House, the hospice that cares for over 400 babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West.
Linda, from Wrightington, brings Shuna to the hospice for pet therapy with the children every week.
She said: “Shuna can’t wait to get walking for Derian House. She really enjoys visiting the hospice to bring cuddles and smiles to the children, so it is great to be able to get involved and help raise some vital funding for the charity.
“We plan to go on lots of local walks every day, as well as an adventure up to the Lake District. There will be plenty of places for Shuna to splash about!”
Ellie Smith, Community Fundraiser at Derian House, said: “We know you love walking your four-legged friends – so get your walking boots on and join Derian House’s Top Dog!
“It will cost £6 million to run services at Derian House in 2023. We rely heavily on the generosity our local community – and their precious pups – to make sure we can continue to provide care for our families.”
To take part in Top Dog for Derian House, contact Ellie Smith on 01257 271271 or ellie.smith@derianhouse.co.uk.
