DOG owners across Worcestershire are being urged to step up to a four-legged fundraising challenge this spring.
Together with their furry friends, dog walkers are encouraged to trek 60 miles over the course of a month to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer, the joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.
The Stand Up To Cancer Dog Walking Challenge, supported by and launched at Crufts, asks people and their canine counterparts to clock up the distance, or whatever represents a personal challenge, over the course of a month.
Whether it’s short strolls or longer walks, anything goes. Everyone who signs up receives a free dog bandanna.
A range of merchandise has also been released to spread awareness of the campaign, with funds raised through sales helping to support the cause further.
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Worcestershire, Paula Young, said: “‘Walkies’ has always been a powerful word, but now we’re giving it new meaning.
“With around 33,800 people diagnosed with cancer every year in the Worcestershire and West Midlands region, we’re asking the dog walking community to do something ‘paw-some’ this spring that could help make the next research breakthrough happen.
“We need as many people as possible to take part, because the progress we make in the fight against the disease relies on every person, every pound – and now every pet pooch.
“Now is the time to Stand Up To Cancer.”
Stand Up To Cancer takes developments from the lab and accelerates them into new tests and treatments that could help save the lives of more people in the West Midlands and across the UK.
The campaign is helping to transform the landscape of cancer therapy.
Since its launch in the UK in 2012, it has raised more than £113 million, funding 64 clinical trials and research projects involving more than 13,000 cancer patients.
Paula added: “From developing a molecule to super-charge the immune system to attack tumours, to re-programming viruses to seek and destroy cancer cells, when it comes to beating cancer our tireless scientists are like a dog with a bone.”
Visit https://www.standuptocancer.org.uk/fundraise/walkies-challenge for more information.
