Adrenaline-junkie team took part in X-Runner challenge for Canine Partners

A determined team of ten people crawled in sludge and swam through ice water in a mud run challenge to raise more than £800 for assistance dog charity Canine Partners.

The selfless group, including several trainers from Canine Partners, signed up to the X Runner Extreme Obstacle race in Wild Park, Derbyshire, and took part in a run jam-packed with 32 obstacles on Sunday 27 September.

Cat Howourth, Amanda Dyne, Gemma Collins, Laura Loftus, Sophie Reed, Sammie Charnock, Luke Charnock, Amy Allen, Trish O’Reily and Kim Moss raised the hard-earned cash to train more assistance dogs, transforming the lives of people with disabilities.

Canine Partners trains dogs to do tasks such as opening and closing doors, undressing, pressing buttons, retrieving items, unloading washing machines, taking card and cash from ATMs and other everyday tasks that disabled people find difficult, painful or impossible to do for themselves.

Cat Howourth, an advanced trainer at the Charity’s Midlands Centre in Osgathorpe, said: “Working for Canine Partners my friends regularly hear about the work we do and the amazing dogs who transform lives; they wanted to do their part so a group of us got together with the aim of challenging ourselves in order to raise money for Canine Partners.

“X-Runner seemed like a great opportunity to get our purple power seen out in force, although half way round the course I’m not sure how much of the purple could be seen for mud!

“With fire jumps, hay bale climbs, swamp walks and water jumps it certainly was a challenge but the whole team crossed the line together with smiles on our faces knowing that we had not only raised loads of money for Canine Partners, but we also had great fun doing it!’’

Canine Partners was formed in 1990 so is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.  They have partnered 530 assistance dogs across the UK to date. These amazing dogs have changed the lives of those they are helping: restoring independence, giving family members peace of mind and even saving lives by responding in emergencies.

To sponsor the adventurous group, visit www.justgiving.com/cpxrunner.

If you are interested in taking part in a challenge like this in aid of Canine Partners then contact our Events and Challenges Coordinator Holly Bryan on 01730 716013 or email hollyb@caninepartners.org.uk.