Pet lovers in and around Windsor have raised over £155,000 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.
Pet lovers in and around Windsor have raised over £155,000 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.
Over 1,400 participants came together at Windsor Great Park on Saturday (16 September) and Sunday (17 September) in a fun-packed weekend full of mud, sweat and cheers. The event, which has so far raised a total of £157,858 for the charity, was perfectly timed as throughout September, Battersea is championing rescue animals who need a second chance in life both here in the UK and around the world with ‘Wear Blue for Rescue’.
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 was a team from the London Fire Brigade, who ran the course with Wellbeing Dogs from the fire service Peggy, Buddy, Freddie, Hugo, Bear, Freddy, Ted, Hallie and Ruben. Team member Shelley, who took part with her Wellbeing Dog Peggy, said: “Peggy and I took part in the Muddy Dog Challenge on our own last year and absolutely loved it, it was such a fun day and Peggy loved splashing around in the mud.
“We really wanted to take part in the event again and thought it was a great opportunity to bring the London Fire Brigade Wellbeing Dog Team together for a fun team building day with the dogs whilst raising money for a good cause that is very close to our hearts. The dogs all had such a great day and will be having a well-earned treat later!”
Also taking on the mud on the day was Ana Newman with her three-year-old Labrador Retriever, Shadow. Ana said: “Shadow had a great time taking part in the Muddy Dog Challenge; he is such a character and absolutely loves jumping on things and was in his element jumping in and out of the muddy obstacles.
“After my dad passed away in 2021, Shadow got me out into nature, and I chose to do a new ‘dog-venture’ with him every weekend in memory of my dad. When I saw the Muddy Dog Challenge events, it felt like a great way to give back and also give Shadow something fun to do whilst supporting the amazing work Battersea does. We’ll definitely be back!”
Battersea’s Senior Challenge Events Officer, Jasmine Monk, said: “Our Windsor Muddy Dog Challenge events are particularly special to us as one of our three centres is located nearby in the Royal Borough, so it was great to see so many animal lovers coming together to support Battersea and celebrate Battersea’s Wear Blue for Rescue, which is taking place throughout September. I want to thank all those who participated, volunteered, and cheered on their loved ones. Everyone has helped make this a really special day and without everyone’s support, we simply wouldn’t be able to do it.”
For more information about the Muddy Dog Challenge and how to take part, please visit the Battersea website: https://www.muddydog.battersea.org.uk/
To support Battersea and show your love for rescue, get involved by visiting https://www.battersea.org.uk or by searching ‘Wear Blue for Rescue’ #WearBlueForRescue.
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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