Our second annual sponsored dog walk is back, and it’s set to be a pawsome family day out!
Join us on Sunday 6 October from 10am at the beautiful grounds of Dorothy House in Winsley (near Bradford-on-Avon) for a 5km sponsored walk with your canine companion or companions.
5km route around Winsley
The walk starts from 10:30am, and will involve a scenic stroll around the picturesque village of Winsley and through the Hospice’s Firefly woods and new Interactive Nature Trail, which opened in May this year. Our wonderful team will be there to guide you and cheer you on every step of the way.
After the walk, you’re invited to enjoy much-needed refreshments and take part in friendly entertainment activities for family and pooches. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the event…
We can’t wait to see you and your adorable pups for the ultimate doggy day out! Oh, and don’t forget to tag us in your pooch pics on Instagram and Facebook.
Entry cost and sponsorship
We have a couple of registration options this year, which are noted below in more detail:
‘The Pack’ option is £25 – this is a family entry for up to 2 adults, 3 children and 2 dogs, and will include an event souvenir for each dog.
‘A Bonded Pair’ option is £15 – this includes entry for one adult and one dog. Additional dog and human places can be purchased separately. Each dog will receive an event souvenir.
Will your pup be our ‘Top Fundraising Dog’ for palliative and end of life care in your community? We kindly ask every participating household to raise £50 minimum in sponsorship for Dorothy House Hospice Care.
2024 merchandise will also be available to purchase soon. We will keep you posted on our fundraising platform, Enthuse, when the line drops.
All well-behaved dogs welcome!
Please read below for health and safety information and our terms and conditions to participate. Please direct any queries on the below to our team at events@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk.
Our fantastic event sponsors…
Goodie bag sponsor: Charis and the team at Charismatic Pets are the generous sponsors of this year’s goodie bags. Check out their treats and chews.
Raffle prize donor: Garston Vets are donating a pet-themed raffle prize for the event.
DH supporter shout out to Winsley Cricket Club for opening up their grounds on the route. A fabulous charity partner with ongoing support for Dorothy House!
Charity collab: Dogs for Health charity are taking part in the event this year. We are super excited to announce that they will be at the event and will bring dog hugs with them. Dogs for Health is a charity that works alongside professionals in the community to help reduce stress, social isolation and anxiety, helping to improve health and wellbeing.
Dog Show Sponsorship: Vets4Pets Trowbridge is generously sponsoring this year’s Dog Show, by hosting four classes at the event and arranging beautiful rosettes and prizes for the winners.
Safety
Paws in the Park is a fun event organised by Dorothy House Hospice Care. Our goal is to ensure the event is as safe as possible for everyone so participants, spectators and volunteers are asked to:
- Be considerate and respectful on the hospice grounds at all times.
- Keep your dog(s) by your side, within reach at all times, on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead.
- Ensure children under the age of 16 are accompanied (within arm’s reach) throughout the walk by their responsible adult.
- Arrive by foot, by pedal-power or public transport if possible – your efforts help to reduce our carbon impact is appreciated. For those traveling by car, there is free parking available on the grounds.
- Take care near roads at all times, and particularly if you have children. The roads are quiet in the village, however we do ask for your diligence with this.
- Take care on uneven surfaces – whether on grass, tarmac and wood chipped pathways. Watch out for vehicles, cyclists, other participants, pedestrians, children, dogs, wildlife, farmed animals, falling branches, bollards, posts and other obstacles around the course.
- Please ensure that you are fit enough to walk 5km (3.1 miles).
- If you see someone with a serious problem, please stop to help them out and get help as soon as possible. There will be marshal points throughout the course who are there to support.
- If you’re observing the walk, keep clear of participants on the course, and look after any children and dogs you may have with you.
- Participants with mobility aids or pushing buggies are welcome, however there will be sections of the route that will be inaccessible. We have taken an alternative route into consideration.
- Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. Consider protecting yourself by wearing repellent when in grassy or wooded areas. See lymediseaseuk.com for further details.
Terms and conditions
- All dogs are the responsibility of the handler on the day
- Dogs MUST be kept on a lead at all times
- Dogs that participate must not be in season
- No more than 2 dogs per handler
- The handler is responsible for cleaning up after their dog. We ask you to bring poop bags with you, and we will have a free supply on hand as well.
- Please take all rubbish home with you or place in bins
- Please make sure you bring adequate water for yourself and your dog(s)
- You and your dog(s) must be physically fit and able to complete the walk
- Dorothy House accept no liability for any injury you or your dog(s) may sustain or any lost property
- Under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible and registered adult
- Dorothy House and/or volunteers may take photos of the walk for publicity purposes
- All sponsorship money raised should be sent to Dorothy House no later than one month after the event date
- All money raised from the sponsored walk will be donated to Dorothy House