THIS September, Age Connects will be running its very first charity dog walking fundraiser in a bid to end isolation in the community.

The charity is encouraging dog owners to sign up, get active and Take the Lead to help end the loneliness and isolation faced by vulnerable older people. Why not walk for an older person you care or cared about?

In addition to supporting older people in need, for every £1,000 raised collectively through the campaign, Burns Pet Nutrition will be donating vital dog food supplies to a local animal shelter to spread the community spirit to our four-legged friends too. 

The challenge is for dog owners to walk the length of a marathon or alternatively a half marathon with their furry friends over the 30 days of September 2021.

The monies raised will be invested directly into the charity’s Community Support Project which plays a vital part in ensuring local older people have access to basic help and emotional support they rightly need and deserve.

Karen Steele, Age Connects marketing and partnerships manager, said: "A sponsored dog walk is a great way to get animal lovers out for a bit of exercise and fresh air. It also provides a much-needed opportunity to ask supporters to fundraise to help us reach out to even more local older people facing loneliness and isolation and the challenges it brings. We urge people to please join us throughout September, take the lead and let’s make a real difference in putting an end to older isolation".

This sentiment is backed by John Burns, of Burns Pet Nutrition, who said: "Our mission is to help as many dogs and humans as we can. Our ongoing partnership with Age Connects allows us to help reduce the social isolation faced by older people and we urge all dog owners to get involved this September to help us help.

"As per our mission, not only will we be making a difference to the lives of older people but also to dogs currently homed in a local shelter. For every £1,000 raised we will make a donation of supplies to support a local animal shelter too. It’s a win win situation for all involved".

For more information and to join this challenge, you simply need to visit the Age Connects September Dog Walking Challenge Facebook Group.