Back in September, we asked our partnerships if anyone wanted to take part in the Winter Wonderwheels event to raise vital funds for Canine Partners.
As official Charity Friends of the Superhero Series, the UK’s one and only disability sports series, we’re very excited to take part in the perfect mission to keep you super-charged this winter – at Home Winter Wonderwheels powered by Marvel.
Participants can complete this ultra-flexible challenge any time between 5 November and 6 December, anywhere (living room, garden, neighbourhood) and in any way (walk, run, push, wheel, canoe, swim) they wish.
Canine Partners would like to say a huge thank you and good luck to all of our At Home Superheroes taking part in the challenge over the next few weeks!
At the end of September I completed my Fit for 30 Challenge to raise awareness and money for the brilliant Canine Partners. I have loved it! I first heard about Canine Partners via social media and couldn’t wait to get involved with such a worthwhile cause. Canine Partners are an amazing charity. They match people with physical disabilities with amazingly talented assistance dogs.
What is the Fit for 30 Challenge?
The Fit for 30 Challenge ran throughout September and is designed to increase physical activity and fitness, as well as to encourage mental wellbeing. To take part, you simply choose an activity based around the numbers 30, for example 30 minutes of something, 30 repetitions of something and so forth. You then complete your challenge for the 30 days of September (or at any time of the year!) and ask people to support you by donating to the charity. I chose to complete 30 minutes of yoga for 30 days, as I often overlook prioritising it but feel such huge benefits. It was really easy to join and the staff at Canine Partners couldn’t have been more helpful.
My month of yoga
The event really encouraged me to make the time to do yoga each day and I am so glad that I did. My mind, which can be quite busy at times, feels so much clearer and more focused – I feel generally calmer. Having suffered with a back injury a couple of years ago, it now feels stronger and I wake up without stiffness. My knotty shoulders are much more mobile and I have looked forward to the overall feeling of wellness that my daily class has given me. At times it was tricky to fit in, but I even got up early to get my 30 minutes in on the hectic days.
Starting the day this way was so positive. I used the Peleton Fitness app to complete my yoga and loved the variety and quality of classes they offer. Some of my favourites included 90’s yoga, Whitney Houston yoga, evening slow flow, and power yoga. I also topped up the physical activity with some meditation using the same app. I am happy that I have raised awareness for the charity and also managed to raise some money from kind family and friends.
I would strongly encourage anybody to get involved with and support Canine Partners. It is such a worthwhile charity. You can also enjoy some personal gain from being fitter and stronger, physically and mentally, from your chosen activity. I am determined to take at least five classes of yoga each week moving forwards and will be keeping an eye on Canine Partners to see how I can continue to support them.
Could you take on the Fit for 30 Challenge like Melanie from Two Plus Dogs and raise vital funds for Canine Partners? Find out more here.
September is coming to an end and with that I am reflecting on the Fit for 30 Challenge. I have thoroughly enjoyed taking part. It has been an honour to help raise awareness of the wonderful charity Canine Partners.
This challenge has encouraged me to push myself. During lockdown earlier in the year, I found it hard to keep motivated in terms of exercising. The gym was an important part of my routine; it allowed me some ‘me’ time away from my busy life with a toddler. It also helped me manage my mental health.
When the gyms reopened, I couldn’t wait to get back. But, my fitness was nowhere as good as it was. This was frustrating as I felt like I was having to build my fitness levels up. I kept turning up to Les Mills BodyCombat classes (a group exercise class based on a variety of martial arts and boxing) and I felt like I was improving; being able to do higher impact moves and not tiring as quickly.
As my confidence in BodyCombat grew, I decided to reintroduce a weights class. This was more of a challenge for me. I have always enjoyed BodyCombat more than weights. The first weights class I completed was incredibly challenging. I felt like I was struggling so much and had to really will myself to keep going. I remember being so sore for days after too! But I kept pushing myself. I am able to lift heavier weights, lift for longer and my form has improved dramatically.
As a dog lover, I truly appreciate the benefits a dog can bring. From my own experience, having our Dachshund Walter has helped me immensely with my own mental health. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for years. Walter came into my life at a time when I was struggling a great deal. He gave me a sense of purpose and a reason to get out of bed.
I would encourage anyone to take part, to raise much needed funds for Canine Partners. Dogs can do so much to help so many members of our society, including those with physical disabilities. I think a lot of us, myself included, take for granted the things we do in any given day.
Canine Partners are doing amazing work training dogs to do everyday tasks and match them to the right person. These dogs are having a positive impact on people’s lives.
Thank you to everyone who took part in the Fit for 30 Challenge this September – we are so proud of every single one of you. Here is a special message from Rugby player Chris Robshaw.
We are now over halfway through September, which means there is still plenty of time to complete the Canine Partners Fit For 30 Challenge! An event aimed at raising vital funds that will allow the charity to continue providing people like myself with life-changing assistance dogs.
Following the sudden decline in my physical health at the age of 19, I was not prepared for my mental health to also suffer as a result of my new “disabled” lifestyle. I felt as if I no longer had any dignity or privacy, due to the fact I had to have a carer with me at all times. But was during those darker days that I decided to apply for a canine partner, in the hope of regaining some independence. Little did I know just how much my life was about to change!
Fast forward to September 2020 and I will soon be celebrating my 3 year anniversary of being paired with canine partner Fliss. Not only has my quality of life drastically transformed during this time, due to the fact Fliss can help me get undressed, retrieve my medications, and press my emergency alarm amongst other things, but she has also given me the confidence and motivation to leave the house on my good days, whilst having someone to help me through the bad days by continually boosting my mental health.
Fliss has positively improved life for my family – something I naively didn’t expect. But thanks to her never-ending support, my mum and my partner, Felix, have also experienced a new lease of life. Providing them with the time to focus on their own passions, such as writing a book and creating a small business!
For regular updates from Felix, who is running 30 miles, along with an insight into my 30 minute roll along the beach with Fliss next week – you can follow our progress on social media or by visiting our website. Don’t forget – you can also share your own photos throughout the challenge using the hashtag #fitfor30challenge!
If you would like to take part in the Fit For 30 Challenge and help Canine Partners continue their amazing work, simply think of an activity based around the number 30 that allows you to get fit. Whether it’s mentally or physically, you will be sure to find an activity that suits you! Find out more here.
The Fit for 30 Challenge is taking place over the 30 days of September to help raise the vital funds we need to continue our life-transforming work.
The Fit for 30 Challenge can be any activity as long as you are getting fit – mentally or physically! From running 30 miles or walking for 30 minutes, to doing 30 minutes of meditation or completing 30 crossword puzzles. Whatever your age or ability, you can take part!
Help to inspire others by sharing photos or videos of your challenge on social media using the official hashtag #fitfor30challenge to be part of the campaign.
Every extra step you take, whether it’s running, wheeling or learning, will inspire your friends and family to support you in your Fit for 30 Challenge.
The Fit for 30 Challenge is taking place over the 30 days of September to help raise the vital funds we need to continue our life-transforming work.
The Fit for 30 Challenge can be any activity as long as you are getting fit – mentally or physically! From running 30 miles or walking for 30 minutes, to doing 30 minutes of meditation or completing 30 crossword puzzles. Whatever your age or ability, you can take part!
Help to inspire others by sharing photos or videos of your challenge on social media using the official hashtag #fitfor30challenge to be part of the campaign.
Every extra step you take, whether it’s running, wheeling or learning, will inspire your friends and family to support you in your Fit for 30 Challenge.
There is still time! Join the fun by signing up for the Fit for 30 Challenge here.
The Fit for 30 Challenge is taking place over the 30 days of September to help raise the vital funds we need to continue our life-transforming work.
The Fit for 30 Challenge can be any activity as long as you are getting fit – mentally or physically! From running 30 miles or walking for 30 minutes, to doing 30 minutes of meditation or completing 30 crossword puzzles. Whatever your age or ability, you can take part!
Help to inspire others by sharing photos or videos of your challenge on social media using the official hashtag #fitfor30challenge to be part of the campaign.
Every extra step you take, whether it’s running, wheeling or learning, will inspire your friends and family to support you in your Fit for 30 Challenge.
Canine Partners are official Charity Friends of the Superhero Series, the UK’s one and only disability sports series, and we were delighted that some of our partners took part in the At Home Superheroes event during lockdown.
Participants could do their own personal challenge over any distance, in any place, and in any way they liked, from walking to wheeling, or cycling to swimming.
Many of our Heroes took part with their canine partner by their side, and decided on a variety of physical challenges including:
Covering the 20km (or even further) suggested by the challenge, including Rosie and canine partner Barnabus, Ruth and canine partner Delia, Sandra and canine partner Sherling who covered the distance by doing laps of their local park, and Miriam and canine partner Nelson who covered 40km over a week in June
Vickie smashed her 300 mile target and covered over 400 miles on her bike
Miriam did ‘10k her own way’ by doing 10,000 reps of core or arm strengthening exercises, including crunches and push ups
Rowena ran 200km in over four weeks with her pet chocolate Labrador, Chip
Jax did 20km in her manual wheelchair with canine partner Kingston, working together as ‘Team Kingston’
Thank you to all of our Heroes, you are all champions in our eyes!
Feeling inspired to take on a challenge for Canine Partners?
The Fit for 30 Challenge is taking place over the 30 days of September to help raise the vital funds we need to continue our life-transforming work.
The Fit for 30 Challenge can be any activity as long as you are getting fit – mentally or physically! From running 30 miles or walking for 30 minutes, to doing 30 minutes of meditation or completing 30 crossword puzzles. Whatever your age or ability, you can take part!
Help to inspire others by sharing photos or videos of your challenge on social media using the official hashtag #fitfor30challenge to be part of the campaign.
Every extra step you take, whether it’s running, wheeling or learning, will inspire your friends and family to support you in your Fit for 30 Challenge.
Get those hips moving and raise vital funds to help us transform lives. Sign up for the Fit for 30 Challenge today and help to transform lives this September. Find out more and sign up here.
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