Darcey, nine-years-old from Renfrewshire in Scotland, is taking part in the Fit for 30 Challenge this September to raise vital funds for Canine Partners.
The challenge is in memory of Canine Partners’ Demonstration Dog, Heston, who her Grandparents were volunteer Demonstration Dog Handlers for the charity with.
“I wanted to fundraise for Canine Partners because Heston was my best friend. He was like a brother to me and he was my ‘Uncle Heston’. I loved him so much because he was part of Canine Partners.”
Heston, who sadly passed away earlier this year, was born four days after Darcey, so they had a special bond and Darcey grew up with Heston in the family.
Darcey, who is walking 30 miles in September around her village for the challenge, is hoping her fundraising efforts will make her Gran and Grandad ‘happy because they’ve been sad about Heston’.
Mark is walking 30 widths of his six metre lounge a week until the end of March to raise vital funds for Canine Partners.
36-year-old Mark is a full-time wheelchair user and uses a walking frame for exercise therapy. He has been inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore’s fundraising efforts for the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic and is aiming to raise over £1,000 for the Canine Partners, as he is on the waiting list for one of the charity’s amazing assistance dogs.
My #FitFor30Challenge
“I’ve applied for a canine partner myself and I know fundraising has been difficult due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I wanted to raise money for the charity as I am passionate about disabled people being as independent as possible. I didn’t originally set a fundraising goal for my challenge, I was just hoping for a couple of hundred pounds. I am very shocked by the support but also very pleased with the money I’ve raised for Canine Partners.” said Mark.
Having been inspired like many others by @captaintommoore I am raising money for @canine_partners by walking 30 widths(instead of 15) of my lounge a week until the end of March. I hope to gain an assistance dog
Totally overwhelmed by the response can you help me reach £1000 https://t.co/yT9Ct9m1lDpic.twitter.com/kVAie8nXKZ
Mark is doing his challenge as part of Canine Partner’s Fit for 30 Challenge, where challengers think of any physical or mental wellbeing challenged based around the number 30 that suits their skills.
“I was inspired by Captain Tom as I use a walking frame for exercise therapy but I didn’t train for the challenge. I just doubled what I normally do in a week and decided to tie it in to the Fit for 30 Challenge.” said Mark.
Could you take on the Fit for 30 Challenge like Mark and raise vital funds for Canine Partners? Find out more here.
“Six years ago I saw an advert about Canine Partners looking for Puppy Parent volunteers in my local area. I was lucky enough to experience training two Canine Partners puppies from the age of eight weeks old, through to seeing them being matched and going on to change their partners’ lives.
“For my last pup, Quiz, life as an assistance dog just wasn’t meant to be, so I rehomed her as my pet dog. Quiz and I continue to support Canine Partners by offering respite care for working canine partner assistance dogs in our area when required.”
My #FitFor30Challenge
“My idea for my Fit for 30 Challenge was to post a photo of Quiz playing with a different dog every day throughout September 2020. Social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic made this more of a challenge than I expected, but Quiz rose to the challenge and both she and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many gorgeous dogs during our daily exercise.
“We raised £130, which we were very pleased about, and when added to our other 2020 fundraisers from earlier in the year, our total came to over £500.”
Continuing to fundraise for Canine Partners
“Our various fundraisers for Canine Partners during 2020 were a great help for me personally in getting through various degrees of lockdown and other social distancing that we faced throughout the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I look forward to holding other local fundraising events at my beach hut if and when circumstances allow. I love keeping an eye on the Canine Partners website and social media to see if there are any further challenges I can put my own twist on too!”
Could you take on the Fit for 30 Challenge like Julie and raise vital funds for Canine Partners? Find out more here.
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.
