Paws for thought this January

Take on a challenge this new year and use your daily exercise to take part in our ‘Paws for thought’ sponsorship challenge. January is #WalkYourDogMonth – so we are challenging you to take time out of your day to explore your local walking areas to see how many steps your furry friends can take while raising much-needed funds for the Charlie Watkins Foundation!

You can take part for just one day, or even get involved every day for the rest of the month to make the most of your one-hour daily exercise. Not only will you be raising money to support those suffering with mental health, but getting outside will also improve your own mental wellbeing.

You can use your own fitness tracker (such as your smart watch, a Fitbit, the Strava app or the iPhone Health app) to count your steps and then double it to track your dog’s progress.

The Charlie Watkins Foundation has been formed to receive funds in memory of Charlie Watkins who at 22-years-old, took his own life in March 2017.

One in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime. However, it is still a taboo when it comes to talking about it and seeking help.

The crisis in mental health among young adults and the impact of the necessary restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic has seen an exponential growth in mental health issues; in particular, for young people and students across the country.

For those already struggling, COVID-19 has intensified these feelings and for those who have not previously experienced anxiety or depression, it has been a strange and very worrying time.

All this at a time when raising funds presents its own very real challenges and our support is needed more than ever.

Help your dog to become a Charlie Watkins Foundation fundraising hero and make sure you share your photos with us on Twitter and Facebook!

Don’t have a dog? You can still take part and be one of our fundraising heroes! Why not ask family and friends to sponsor your daily walk?

Please donate and share this link with your family and friends on social media and get them to sponsor your four-legged friends!