Hundreds of pet lovers have raised over £100,000 by taking part in Battersea’s Muddy Dog Challenge - one of the UK’s biggest obstacle courses where members of the public can take part with their dog.
Nearly eight-hundred participants and their dogs came together at Elms Farm Estate in Stansted, Essex on Saturday (30 September) in a fun-packed day full of mud, sweat and cheers.
The event has so far raised a total of £100,236 which will go towards the vital care of the thousands of dogs and cats everywhere that the charity helps every year. The fundraising efforts were all the more meaningful as the charity has been shining a light on rescues as part of ‘Wear Blue for Rescue’ during September.
After a starting line warm-up, participants took on the obstacles with their dogs as they weaved in and out of the mutt maze, wriggled through the mud at the canine crawl, leapt over the hurdling hounds and splashed through the doggy ball pit. Friends, family and volunteers clapped participants across the finishing line, where they were each handed a well-earned Muddy Dog Challenge medal and a rosette for their dogs.
Braving the mud on the day were Charlotte Coward and Daley Mulchansingh who raised over £1,000 and took part with their adventurous five-year-old rescue dog, Labrador Cross, Taos.
Speaking on the day Daley said: “Taos absolutely loved taking part surrounded by canine friends and dog-lovers alike. He’s a big fan of water and couldn’t get enough of the ball pit splash and he’ll definitely be getting a treat when we get home!”
“So far this year we have already held a bake sale and a cake and coffee morning to help raise money for Battersea. Me and my partner Charlotte have also previously fostered dogs and given our very own rescue dog Taos a forever home, so we know how important Battersea’s work is in giving dogs and cats the second chance in life they deserve”.
Battersea’s Senior Challenge Events Officer, Jasmine Monk, said: “Thank you so much to everyone who came and took part in the Muddy Dog Challenge with us in Stansted. We are so grateful to each and every single person and dog who came along – whether they were taking part, volunteering or cheering their loved ones on. All the money raised will allow Battersea’s dedicated staff to care for the thousands of dogs and cats that need our help. We wouldn’t be able to do it without everyone’s support, and it’s been made all the more special as pet lovers have been showing their love for rescues over the past month by supporting Wear Blue for Rescue.”
Remaining events are scheduled to take place in Leeds and Tunbridge Wells. For more information on how to take part and to register interest for events taking place in 2024, please visit the Battersea website: https://muddydog.battersea.org.uk/
To find out more about ‘Wear Blue for Rescue’ and how to support Battersea, visit: https://www.battersea.org.uk
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For more information and images please contact press@battersea.org.uk
Notes to editors
- At Battersea we offer our love and expert care to dogs and cats who need us by rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals at our centres, and by sharing our knowledge and resources with rescue organisations around the world. We do this because we want to help every dog and cat, everywhere.
- In 2022 Battersea directly cared for 2,278 dogs and 2,253 cats at our three centres. We also helped thousands more through our Communities programme, campaigning work, supporting other rescue centres and animal welfare advocates, and sharing knowledge and advice with pet owners.
- We’re reliant on the generosity of the public to continue to fund our vital work helping dogs and cats and the people who care for them. To donate to Battersea, visit: https://donate.battersea.org.uk
- In addition to the site in South West London, Battersea also has two other centres based at Old Windsor, Berkshire and Brands Hatch, Kent.
- To find out more visit our website or follow Battersea on Twitter @battersea_ , Instagram @battersea or facebook.com/Battersea