Epic charity walk for Deely and Fred
‘Walkies’as part of Scots leg of UK fundraising effort
An Auchterarder woman and her dog are preparing to embark on an epic charity walk this weekend.
Deely Cumming and her five-year- old Turkish Kangal, Fred, have been selected as breed representatives in the Pedigree Paws Unite event - a series of sponsored walks totalling 160 miles.
They’ll be striding out with other dogs and owners in the walk – the equivalent of six marathons – which aims to raise £70,000 for seven charities.
The fundraiser will see all 216 Kennel Club-recognised dog breeds completing a section of the walk over seven days across the UK.
Deely and Fred will be sponsored for five miles of the Scottish leg on Saturday this week, which goes along the Union Canal near Edinburgh to the Falkirk Wheel.
They’ll be walking from the nature reserve at Broxburn to Fawns Park Bridge by Uphall.
Deely said: “It’s a great honour to be selected as the breed representative for this special event and it’s a super opportunity to raise money for seven worthy charities.
“At the same time, we’ll be raising awareness of well- bred pedigree dogs, especially large rare breeds such as Turkish Kangals – which are often forgotten about or negatively portrayed by the media.”
Deely, who runs a canine massage therapy business called Clanquaich, has two Kangals, named Fred and Freya, who were both victorious at Crufts this year.
Fred won Best of Breed while Freya was named Best Bitch.
And the animals also act as demonstration dogs when Deely is giving canine massage talks.
She said: “Turkish Kangals are an incredibly loyal and protective breed – they are flock guardians after all.
“They require space, time, dedication and a job to do – be it protecting the livestock, the home, watching over the kids or just being with their human, displaying their own unique personality.
“My duo, Fred and Freya have pigs to watch over as well as performing in the show ring with huge success and they just love people.
“By raising awareness of pedigree dogs, I hope we can help educate puppy buyers into researching their desired breed and buying from reputable breeders.”
The event is the brainchild of Crufts 2013 Best in Show winning owner Gavin Robertson and is being held under the umbrella of The Peek-A- Boo Trust.
It aims to raise £70,000 for seven children’s and canine charities including the Search & Rescue Dog Association, Make A Wish Foundation and Dog AID.
Mr Robertson said: “This event is about uniting the pedigree dog world, to raise as much money as possible for the nominated charities.
“It is set to be the first time every dog breed in the UK is taking part in the same event.”
The walk began on Monday this week near Cambridge and headed north to reach Edinburgh on Saturday.
It then heads south again before finishing at the Darlington Dog Show on Sunday.
Anyone who wants to make a donation should go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving. com/fund/PedigreePawsUnite and they can select ‘Deely and Fred’ to sponsor.
It’s a great honour to be selected as the breed representative for this special event ... Deely Cumming