Twenty-eight staff members from Huyton and Kirkdale PDSA Pet Hospitals aim to walk the distance between all of the charity’s 48 hospitals - approximately 2,076 miles – to raise money for pets in need.
Vet Helen Allwood from the Huyton PDSA said: “Since Covid-19 hit the UK in March last year, we have been working hard on the frontline to treat poorly pets. Thankfully, we have managed to keep our vital veterinary services going despite huge challenges.”
Last year, Huyton PDSA got involved in the fundraising event, World Big Dog Walk, and walked 1,000 miles in just one month. Now, the Huyton and Kirkdale Pet Hospital staff are joining forces to take on this bigger challenge.
Helen said: “We are all walking in our local areas and adding our miles together. Some team members have been on holiday and clocked miles in Anglesey, the Peak District and the Lake District, and many of us have discovered new walks on our doorstep.
“It’s been great fun. One of our Vet’s Emily went for a walk in the late snow and captured some beautiful, scenic shots. And Vet Nurse Catherine has a Border Collie called Buddy, who has enjoyed contributing a few hundred miles. Whereas my old Lab, Scout, loves to stop and sniff wherever we go, so we don’t get very far!”
The team are also keen to improve their mental health and wellbeing after such a challenging year. Helen said: “Mental health is a priority at PDSA, and walking is proven to improve your mood. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety – something we could all benefit from after the year we’ve had.”
Helen added: “The pandemic has put into perspective just how important our service is. I can’t imagine what would happen to our pet patients if PDSA wasn’t here to help. That’s why we decided to take on this fundraising challenge - to help PDSA continue to be there for pets of people in need.”
Show your support by donating to the team’s Just Giving page.