Help raise funds for guide-dog association
DOG OWNERS across the nation have been urged to grab their walking shoes, collars and leads in a fun and innovative bid to raise much-needed funds for the South African Guide-Dogs Association.
As the non-profit organisation does not receive any government funding and relies solely on donations and fund-raising activities, they are staging a virtual walkathon to raise money.
The association’s Step Up for GuideDogs Walkathon will take place from May 3 to 10. The challenge will be for each participant to take 100 000 steps over the eight-day period.
South African Guide-Dogs Association regional marketing manager Jackie Quail said the virtual nature of the event was to include as many people across South Africa as possible.
“The association breeds and trains guide-dogs for people who are visually impaired, service dogs for people who are physically disabled, and autism support dogs for children who are on the low autism spectrum,” she said.
To get involved in the Step Up for Guide-Dogs Walkathon, Quail said people could sign up on their website and once they have filled in the entry form, they will be emailed instructions on how to set up their fund-raising page on the GivenGain platform.
“After they are all set up, they can appeal to friends and family to donate towards or sponsor their walk.”
She added that participants can record their steps on their smartwatch or phone and update their GivenGain page daily with their progress.
“They need to take 100 000 steps in the eight days and can do this in their own time, anywhere in South Africa.”
For those not interested in walking, Quail said they could still get involved by donating to one of the fund-raisers or teams participating in the walk.
The first Step Up for Guide-Dogs Walkathon was staged during the hard lockdown in 2020 and as this is the third year of the event, which is one of the biggest on the association’s calendar, they have added more elements.
“This year we have added a scavenger hunt,” said Quail.
During Walkathon Week, the association will be announcing different scavenger hunt places and items for people to find while out on their walks, and stand a chance to win prizes, including R2 500 worth of Mr Price Sport vouchers and R2 000 worth of online vouchers from Dogs Life.
The walkathon also gives guide-dog owners the chance to participate.
Quail added that she is impressed by the response so far to this year’s walkathon and expects it to be bigger than ever. For more information on the SA Guide-Dogs Association and their walkathon, visit Guidedog.org. za or email JackieQ@guidedog.org.za