Step into spring and organise a Big Bluebell Walk for Canine Partners

Step into the beautiful season of spring by organising your own Big Bluebell Walk in aid of assistance dog charity Canine Partners and transform people’s lives.

This year the national charity is hoping more people than ever will plan scenic walks up and down the country in the months of April and May to raise money to continue its good work, which is life-changing for adults with physical disabilities.

Canine Partners trains assistance dogs to help disabled people with everyday tasks they would otherwise find difficult, painful or impossible including opening doors, undressing, pressing buttons, unloading the washing machine and fetching help in an emergency. The assistance dogs also increase independence, confidence and provide loving companionship.

Holly Bryan, Events and Challenge Co-ordinator, said: “Get together with friends, family, colleagues and neighbours and organise a Big Bluebell Walk for all the community to enjoy.

“Walks can be as big or small as you like, and pass through woodlands, fields, spring flowers or even on a beach, the choice is yours!

“Canine Partners can provide you with a simple pack with all the information you need to get you started, so go on grab your wellies and help transform people’s lives today.”

Canine Partners does not receive any government funding and relies on donations and legacies to continue its invaluable work.

College lecturer Martin Smailes, who has a spinal injury and relies on his canine partner Keith, said: “Both at home and at work Keith would just continually amaze us with his ability to understand what I needed from simply retrieving a dropped item to retrieving the phone, TV remotes, collecting the mail, opening and closing doors, helping me undress, unloading the washing machine and much more.

“To say Keith has transformed my life would be an understatement. He has changed my life from one of increasing solitude and confidence loss to a bright fun filled, enthusiastic and confident forward looking future.”

The Charity’s national Big Bluebell Walk campaign has raised more than £168,000 in the past 12 years which has helped to transform the lives of many disabled people

Visit caninepartners.org.uk/bigbluebellwalks to find out more about how you can get involved or to see if there is a Big Bluebell Walk in your area.