Meet our London Marathon runner

Joe Struggles is set to take part in the Virgin Money London Marathon 2019 to raise vital funds for Canine Partners.

The 27-year-old chose to bid on the charity’s spot in the prestigious marathon, which is taking place on Sunday 28 April 2019, after hearing stories of how the charity transforms the lives of people living with physical disabilities across the UK.

Of his incredible challenge, Joe said:

“The work Canine Partners does and stories I’ve heard about the amazing partnerships are admirable and inspiring, seeing how they can actually change and transform a life. From emotional and physical support dogs through to just having a pooch as a pet, I’ve witnessed how their companionship can affect the lives of all of us.”

Joe says he doesn’t have a goal in mind for the marathon, but people who have sponsored him expect he will break the four hour mark.

“I’d be happy to simply finish and focus on enjoying the day, but people have also asked me about running dressed as a dog!”

Joe, who lives between Farnborough in Hampshire and with his girlfriend in Amsterdam, has always wanted to run a marathon and has been inspired by his Dad and brother, who have run the London Marathon a few times between them. Joe said:

“I’ve been and watched various friends and family members take part but I’ve never been able to secure a spot. When I saw the email from Canine Partners saying that they were looking for applicants I thought I’d apply and I’m very grateful for the opportunity and couldn’t have gained a place for a better cause.”

Training involves gym sessions, running two or three times a week, swimming and climbing.

“I am looking to progress on my long run by one or two kilometres each week between now and April. Every run I go on at the moment is my longest ever, which is a nice feeling that gets me through the winter weather!”

Sponsor Joe

To sponsor Joe please visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/joe-strugs

Take on a challenge

Could you take on a challenge to raise vital funds for Canine Partners? Please visit caninepartners.org.uk/challenges/ for inspiration.

Take on a challenge!

Running a marathon, bungee jumping off of a bridge and trekking 500 miles across northern Spain – these three fundraisers are taking on blood pumping, adrenaline rushing challenges to raise money to transform the lives of people living with physical disabilities across the UK.

Jackie Kennedy is a 53-year-old wheelchair user from East London, who took on the world’s highest commercial bungee jump in South Africa on 5 February 2019.

Jackie jumped 709 feet from Bloukrans Bridge in Tsisikamma, South Africa, despite having a serious neurological condition.

Jackie was diagnosed with Cauda Equine Syndrome and spinal stenosis in 2007 and although she underwent two emergency operations, she was left with severe weakness in the lower half of her body and has to use a wheelchair full time.

Of her adrenaline-pumping challenge, Jackie said:

“I decided to take part in this challenge to thank Canine Partners for partnering me with the most amazing dog in the world, my precious boy canine partner Kingston, as my life has been totally transformed in ways I could never imagine. Thanks to this awesome charity and my utterly amazing canine partner, I now have a life where I am living it to the fullest and not merely existing as I was previously.”

Kingston helps Jackie to get undressed, accompanies her to the shower where he will take of her clothes and put them in the washing machine before passing her the towel. He also helps her get in and out of bed, opens and closes doors, and retrieves items for her, amongst many other tasks.

“The zip wire went really well and suddenly I was on the bridge looking at the views, which were breath-taking. I took a photo of Mallory, the puppy I am raising funds for, with me to remind myself why I was hurling myself off the bridge! Before I knew it I was all harnessed up and standing with my toes on the edge. My heart was racing. I thought of Mallory and my Kingston and before I could blink I had dived off the edge and was hurtling towards the ground. It was terrifying and exhilarating. The views were magnificent.”

Jackie has become ‘a bit of an adrenaline junkie’ and is already planning her next challenge to raise more money for Canine Partners.

To sponsor Jackie please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jackieandkingston or text JAXX93 and either £3, £5 or £10 to 70070.

Watch the video here

Joe Struggles, a 27-year-old from Farnborough, Hampshire, is set to take part in the Virgin Money London Marathon 2019.

Joe chose to bid on the charity’s spot in the prestigious marathon, which is taking place on Sunday 28 April 2019, after hearing stories of how the charity transforms lives.

Of his amazing challenge, Joe said:

Joe has always wanted to run a marathon and has been inspired by his dad and brother, who have run the London Marathon a few times between them.

“I’ve been and watched various friends and family members take part but I’ve never been able to secure a spot. When I saw the email from Canine Partners saying that they were looking for

applicants I thought I’d apply and I’m very grateful for the opportunity and couldn’t have gained a place for a better cause. I don’t really have a goal but a few people who sponsored me have mentioned me breaking the four hour mark so I know what is expected of me. I’d be happy to simply finish and focus on enjoying the day, but people have also asked about me running as a dog!”

Joe’s training involves gym sessions, running two or three times a week, swimming and climbing.

To sponsor Joe, please visit www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/joe-strugs

Timothy Scott, also known as Tim, is a 53-year-old tetraplegic wheelchair user from Kent, taking on a challenging 500 mile trek across northern Spain in September 2020.

Tim’s sponsored push will start in St Jean Pied de Port in south west France, before he crosses the border into Spain, over the Pyrenees and finishes in Santiago de Compostela near the coast.

In 2009, Tim was in a road traffic accident where a car knocked him off his motorbike, causing him to slide across the ground and hit his head on a concrete bollard. It resulted in Tim breaking 11 vertebrae, his sternum, punctured lungs and a broken pelvis, followed by a 10 month hospital stay.

Of his incredible challenge, Tim said:

“It’s a way that I can give something back to the charities that have helped me. One being Canine Partners, who have given me my assistance dog Elliott. Elliott has been able to give me my life back – to be able to live it and to be able to go out and enjoy it.”

Elliott has given Tim back his independence – they go shopping and sailing together, Elliott will help Tim get undressed and take off his shoes, he helps with the washing, retrieves the phone, fetch and carry things, and pick up dropped items. Elliott can even get Tim help in an emergency by finding someone in the house and nudging the side of their leg until they follow.

“I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like without Elliott. He is one of the family. I just can’t imagine not having him; my life would be empty again.”

Tim is aiming to raise £20,000 by doing this incredibly tough challenge in a ‘Mountain Trike’ wheelchair, which is how much a canine partner costs from selection as a puppy at seven weeks old to retirement at approximately 10 years old.

Tim will begin his challenge on 5 September 2020. You can donate through his website www.tim-elliott-camino.rocks or through Virgin Money Giving uk.virginmoneygiving.com/tim-elliott-camino.rocks

Take on a challenge

Whether you run, climb, swim or jump, we need more people like Jackie, Joe and Tim to take on incredible challenges and raise vital funds for canine partners. To find out more, please visit caninepartners.org.uk/take-part-in-a-challenge/

Marabana Havana Half Marathon: Alex’s Fundraising Story

Alex Leete, a 55-year-old who lives on the Costa del Sol with two rescue dogs, a retired horse and eight tortoises, will take part in the Marabana Havana half marathon in Cuba to raise vital funds for Canine Partners.

Alex decided to fundraise for Canine Partners as she used to live in Graffham, just down the road from our Southern Training Centre in Midhurst, West Sussex. Alex said:

“I often used to see the handlers out and about with the puppies being trained. Having spoken to a few of them, we realised what a wonderful charity it is and how these dogs can change the lives of those people fortunate enough to have one join their family.”

It was Alex’s 86-year-old Dad who initially set down the challenge of running the Marabana Havana half marathon, to take Alex’s mind off of not being able to ride horses anymore. Having ridden horses since she was a child, Alex was in a serious accident earlier this year and has decided to give up riding and retire her horse. This is the challenge Alex needed to take her mind off of the lack of riding.

The Marabana Havana half marathon is due to take place on Sunday 18 November with a nice early start of 7am. Alex has no specific run time in mind after spraining her ankle during training and being out of action for over eight weeks, but she is determined to take part in the race. Alex said:

“It’s a case of my challenge now being to cross that finish line somehow! I’m fairly determined, some may say stubborn, so I don’t care how I do it. It doesn’t have to be fast and it doesn’t have to be pretty, but I’m going to puff and wheeze my way round and if it takes all day I’ll get there eventually!”

Alex chose the half marathon in Cuba as she used to work in the Latin American department of a large company and fell in love with the culture. Alex said:

“Cuba was part of our domain and having visited for the first time a couple of years ago, it kind of seems appropriate that my first running challenge should be in an area of the world I’m passionate about.”

When it comes to training, Alex’s plan went out the window when she sprained her ankle but she is now back to it and tries to do something each day to regain some fitness. From dog walks to long runs, Alex lives in a mountainous area of Spain and thinks this will be good for her stamina.

Sponsor Alex

You can sponsor Alex for the Marabana Havana Half Marathon on her JustGiving page by clicking here.

Challenge yourself

Are you up for a challenge? Whether it’s a marathon, an abseil, a skydive or another amazing idea, please visit caninepartners.org.uk/challenges/ for more information.

The RunDisney Challenge: Frances’ Fundraising Story

It’s not every day you get to dress up as your favourite Disney characters and run through the famous theme park collecting themed medals!

But Frances and her partner Cairon decided to take on the challenge and raise vital funds for Canine Partners in the process. Here’s Frances’ fundraising story in her own words.

I always wanted to raise funds for an animal charity as whenever I donate to a good cause, it tends to go to animal charities. I wanted to find one that I felt I could connect to, and so Canine Partners seemed an ideal choice.

I’m a huge dog lover and hearing about the amazing training the puppies go through to become that special partner to someone who truly needs that day to day support…I just had to do my bit as well!

I have been the biggest Disney fan since forever but had not heard of the RunDisney event till last year when my partner, Cairon had run it in America and he told me how great an event it was. It had not been something I would have even considered a few years ago as I couldn’t even run for the bus without feeling out of breath!

But I decided at the end of 2017 I would start to change a bad habit of a lifetime of no exercise to be healthy and start running. It has been a tough journey as I’m by no means a natural runner and so had to slowly build up from literally running around the block to run walk over longer distances. The 36k challenge was always going to be the one I was going to do as I have an all or nothing attitude!

To be honest, the thought of running around Disney behind the scenes where normally you wouldn’t go as a visitor was very appealing as a Disney fan and also you get such cool medals at the end as well!

The challenge didn’t seem all that daunting at first when I arrived as I was sort of prepared with my training – although had only run up to 10k as it had been a really hot summer which made it hard to train in the heat. I was also suffering from a troublesome knee injury which was making things tough.

On Friday evening, Cairon and I ran the 5k which was fun as it is just like doing a 5k park run around Disney! We were in the first of our three costumes that I had made, Cinderella and Prince Charming. Dressing up isn’t compulsory, but the majority of the runners do dress up as their favourite characters!

The 10K run was then upon us the next morning at 7am. We dressed up as Ariel and Sebastian from The Little Mermaid for this run, and as we made our way around the course we would stop for the character photo opportunities you can have done.

After the 10K, I had some physio done on my knee which helped, and I had it taped up to support it in readiness for the half marathon the next morning. It was a 7am start again. I knew I would be fine, even though this was the toughest one and I was so tired, aching and a little apprehensive as to whether I’d be able to complete the whole distance.

For the half marathon, we dressed as Dalmatians from 101 Dalmatians, and with a run/walk method, I got myself around the course!

As I was coming over the finish line, I was so glad it was over but also amazed that I had just completed a total of 36K over the course of the weekend. I had support from my partner Cairon the whole way round, with lots of encouragement…he was my rock!

I would suggest to anyone who is thinking of challenging themselves to do something however big or small, to think about what a difference your fundraising efforts make to Canine Partners and the people who directly benefit from it.

I know that I will continue to find other ways to raise money for Canine Partners as the support and well done I got from the team at Heyshott for completing my challenge shows me their appreciation is truly heartfelt.

Donate to Frances’ Virgin Money fundraising page here.

Would you like to take on a challenge to raise vital funds so that we can train more amazing dogs?

Whether you wish to take on an active challenge like Frances, host your own bake sale or another fundraising event, visit the Fundraising section of our website for inspiration!

Fabulous fundraisers like Frances help us to transform the lives of people living with disabilities by matching them with an assistance dog to provide them with greater independence. Thank you, Frances!

Abseiling down the ArcellorMittal Orbit – Roshni’s fundraising story

Roshni here from The Wanderlust Within. Recently I took on Canine Partners charity challenge to freefall abseil off the highest sculpture in the UK, the ArcelorMittal Orbit in Stratford. I’ve always loved climbing but never been as comfortable with abseiling, so I thought it was the perfect reason to face my fear and get my adrenaline pumping!

Canine Partners are a great charity that train puppies to becomes assistance dogs and transform the lives of people with disabilities. They rely on donations to fund the creation of their life-transforming partnerships, that’s why it’s so important to get involved by either donating money, volunteering your time or taking part in one of the challenge days throughout the year. Everything from skydiving to cycling to experiences abroad.

The day was dry and a balmy 23 degrees, but unfortunately the blue skies were hidden by clouds. We were a small group of seven, and a few people worked for Canine Partners so were able to answer all my questions about puppy training (a good distraction for us all as we got kitted up). When ready we made our way up the elevators and were clipped into position by the team at Wire and Sky. We were abseiling two at a time but just as my instructor started to show me the ropes, the wind started to hit me quite hard and my stomach started to turn. I decided getting down quickly was the way to go, but first I would have to face my fear and lie back horizontally against the orbit before launching myself off the structure. I was nervous and moving my feet slowly but the instructor sensed my fear and talked me through it, and within a few moves my feet were dangling and no longer touching anything!

At that point I felt free, and all my fears were gone, I looked around at the panoramic views and then started to lower myself, I realised how to increase and decrease the speed of my freefall and felt comfortably in control. I looked down at the crowds of people enjoying their Sunday morning routines in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, some stopped to stare at me so I waved until they waved back.

I enjoyed the wind in my hair so I descended quickly and was met with a cheer from the support team at Canine Partners, and even a few kisses from the Labradors.

Why not step out of your comfort zone and take on a personal challenge?

It was a great experience and a very different way to spend a Sunday in London, so for anyone wanting to challenge themselves, and to help a good cause at the same time, I recommend doing one of Canine Partners’ challenges. Of course, you can also help without doing anything crazy, from donating money to volunteering your time to help train these amazing puppies and transform someones life.

On your bike. Transform a life.

Join the fun at Pedal For Paws Midlands on Sunday 23 September or at Pedal For Paws South on Sunday 30 September. Both events include a choice of two routes, which are adapted to suit all abilities from beginners to experienced riders.

This is the first time the event has taken place in the midlands, after successful Pedal For Paws events in the south for two years in a row.

Dozens of participants are expected to take part in the event, which Julie Graham took part in two years ago.

“I decided to take part in Canine Partners’ Pedal For Paws cycle because it’s a fantastic charity to support, the dogs do amazing work and really do change the lives of the people they are partnered with,” says Julie Graham, who took part in Pedal For Paws 2016 in the south.
“Don’t worry if you’ve not done any training as there is a shorter route and a longer route, so take whichever one you fancy and just give it a go!”

The event aims to raise vital funds to help us train more amazing assistance dogs. Kerenza Holzman with canine partner Whisky knows first-hand how life-transforming our dogs can be.

Kerenza Holzman, who lives near the charity’s Southern Training Centre in West Sussex, is encouraging people to take part in the event to raise money for the charity that gave her independence back.

After routine surgery left her with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder leading to Myalgic Encephalopathy, Kerenza eventually needed a wheelchair. She was matched with her canine partner Whisky in June 2012.

“I’ve had Whisky for six years and he’s really changed my life as before him I was quite depressed, I didn’t go out a lot and I didn’t work so I spent a lot of time indoors and life was really hard,” says Kerenza.
“I’ve now made new friends, met loads of new people and I feel like I have a life again.”

“I don’t feel like a disabled person who is useless anymore, I feel like I have a purpose and Whisky has given me back my independence,” Kerenza adds.

The fun cycle event includes a feed stop on route, an event village, bike washing facilities and refreshments. The Canine Partners team will be there cheering you on!

Want to take part in Pedal For Paws 2018?

Can you beat last year’s time? Maybe you want to brave one of the longer routes around the stunning South Downs or take on the new Midlands route? Perhaps this is your first year – either way you’ll have a great time!

Click here to sign up today

Climbing The O2 – Claire’s fundraising story

I wouldn’t say I am a particularly active or sporty person, but I love to try new things and to challenge myself. I will try anything once (well almost anything) and when I heard about a challenge to climb up the O2 arena in London that was just the kind of crazy thing I can’t say no to. And the best part? I would be raising money for Canine Partners. I only learned about the charity recently, but am amazed by the work they do, training these amazing puppies to be incredible assistance dogs which transform the lives of people with disabilities.

The charity relies on donations to fund the creation of its life-transforming partnerships, so any money we can raise to help is all really important. On challenge day we were a small group, seven people in total, but it was great to meet other people who were passionate about fundraising, and who were terrified of heights but still willing to do this for charity! I am lucky, I’m not really afraid of heights but I find coming down the hardest part. I was a bit nervous before we started the climb, and with all the safety precautions I actually felt more nervous instead of safer! But, I was in the middle of the group, and the ones in front set a quick pace, so I didn’t really have time to think about it. Just one foot in front of the other and pausing to slide the safety clip along the railing.

I didn’t keep my head down all the time though, as we climbed higher the views got better and I couldn’t resist pausing to take a look around. Our group supported each other, and we all had our purple furry Canine Partners headbands on, although it did get pretty hot as we climbed up! Once we reached the viewing platform I loved checking out the views of London, and spotting landmarks all around us.

We had about 15 minutes on the viewing platform, and then we started the descent down the other side of the O2. This was actually the hardest part for me, as I could see the bottom as I was coming down and felt much less steady on my feet. The worst part was the very last section which was the steepest descent, I found it easier to turn around and climb down backwards – which also meant I didn’t look down! I took my time, and although I was the last one down I was proud of myself for finishing the challenge!

I am also really proud of the money we raised for Canine Partners, enough to buy two new puppies to be trained. I am really pleased to know that what we did will really make a difference and hope I can do a new challenge for Canine Partners soon! For anyone wanting to challenge themselves, and to help a good cause at the same time, I really recommend doing one of Canine Partners’ challenges. Their next one is abseiling down the ArcelorMittal Orbit in London on 19 August, so sign up quick! Of course, you can also help without doing crazy things, donating some money or your time as a volunteer is just as valuable so you can too can help to train amazing puppies and transform someone’s life.

Why not step out of your comfort zone and take on a personal challenge?

The London Abseil 2018 is the perfect opportunity to raise vital funds whilst getting your adrenaline pumping.

Click here to sign up today.

Canine Partners climb The O2

Brave fundraisers took on The O2 in London on Thursday 5 July to raise vital funds for Canine Partners.

Watch the video

The ‘urban mountaineers’ ascended to the top of the walkway on the roof of The O2, where they sipped a celebratory glass of bubbly at 52 metres above ground level.

Four times Paralympian, Hannah Stodel, joined the team with her Technical Manager, Alex, braving the staggering heights as Canine Partners’ new Challenge Ambassador.

“I was really nervous going up because I absolutely hate heights and Alex likes to likes to play practical jokes on me,” says Hannah.
“There was a little bit of bouncing but we all made it up to the top and it was a fantastic experience something I will definitely repeat.”

“We’ve also managed to raise an awful lot of money for Canine Partners, who do some incredible work with these amazing and incredibly cute little puppies,” says Hannah.
“They turn them into these wonder-dogs that help disabled people so it’s really amazing.”

The team was also joined by Claire Sturzaker, the travel blogger behind talesofabackpacker.com, where she writes about once in a lifetime experiences.

“It was very exciting, I was a little bit nervous coming down but everyone did a really great job,” says Claire.
“We’ve raised enough money for two puppies for Canine Partners which is brilliant.”

“It’s a brilliant charity and I was really excited to get involved with the challenge today,” says Claire, who will be writing a blog on her own website about the exhilarating experience.

A huge thank you to all those who took part and got an adrenaline rush whilst raising vital funds to help train more amazing assistance dogs to transform the lives of people living with disabilities in the UK.

View the gallery

Take on a challenge

Do you fancy taking on a challenge to help raise vital funds for Canine Partners? Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a one-off thrill-seeker, we have plenty of challenges you can get involved in.

The London Abseil is taking place on Sunday 19 August 2018. Hurry! Spaces are selling fast for this blood-pumping challenge. Click here to sign up now.

The South Downs Way Challenge – Martyn’s Fundraising Story

Walking over 100 miles across to span the whole of the South Downs Way National Trails route, Martyn Aguss has managed to raise close to £6,000 to transform the lives of people with disabilities.

After visiting our Southern Training Centre in April of this year, Martyn was inspired by seeing the tasks that our amazing dogs can do and decided he wanted to help fundraise for us. He decided to take on a 100-mile walk across 4 days (around 25 miles per day).

Martyn did plenty of training for this walk of course, and even involved his own dog Molly…although 25 miles would be a bit much for her!

He began his walk at Winchester Cathedral on a sunny morning, ending day one at Butser Hill having covered 22 miles. He was joined by his son Michael on day 2 as they travelled on to Amberley. The beautiful scenery and lovely weather kept the two going for 27 miles.

Day 3 was the biggest challenge for Martyn, as he covered 29 miles in strong winds at the top of the Downs on his own – this was a much more physical day but the “green and pleasant” land kept him going!

It wasn’t about to get much easier for day 4 – but at least he had the company of friend Kate as they walked another 25 miles which included climbing the hills of the Seven Sisters and the final ascent at Beachy Head. The final day totalled up to 10 hours of walking…phew!

A huge thank you to Martyn for taking on this amazing challenge to raise much-needed funds and of course to all of the sponsors who pledged to his JustGiving campaign. If you’d like to donate to Martyn’s fundraising, visit his JustGiving page here.

Looking to take on your own challenge to raise vital funds?

Click here to find out how you can take on a challenge for Canine Partners.

A 5,500 mile coastal walk raises money to transform lives – Ian Chatfield’s fundraising story

Ian Chatfield is in the middle of taking on an incredible challenge – he is walking approximately 5,500 miles along the coast of England and Wales.

Fundraising in aid of Canine Partners after fostering assistance dogs for approximately four years, Ian is taking on the challenge once a month and walking in 40-50 mile sections for three days at a time.

“I have only recently become aware of just how much it requires to keep the organisation going,” said Ian.
“My challenge will allow me to raise awareness of the work of Canine Partners which might in itself lead to more awareness, financial contributions, puppy parents and fosterers.”

When Ian gave up work four years ago, he wanted to set himself mental and physical challenges. Before taking on his current challenge, Ian travelled from Land’s End to John O’Groats using only local buses and ferries around the circumference of Great Britain.

With no training plan and plenty of plasters for sore feet, Ian plans to walk as long as his feet will carry him. His fundraising was spurred on by people along the way asking if Ian was getting sponsored for a charity, which then inspired him to sponsor himself in aid of Canine Partners.

“I won’t stop when I get to Hadrian’s Wall I’ll keep going,” says Ian.
“But it’s a very long way around the coast of Scotland and it’s challenging!”

For others wanting to take on a physical challenge, Ian says it’s best to start with a target in mind.

“Start within your capabilities,” said Ian.
“Then let the challenge grow as you become more confident.”

Ian has pledged to donate 10p per mile he walks, with the next stage in April starting in Cockerham, Lancaster and finishing in Arnside, Cumbria. In the future Ian would like to challenge himself to walk the London tube lines on the surface, which is approximately 250 miles.

Looking to take on your own challenge to raise vital funds?

Click here to find out how you can take on a challenge for Canine Partners.