FUNDRAISING will be a walk in the park for hundreds of dogs and their owners as they support a much-loved charity.
Registrations have officially opened for the annual Bark in the Park mass dog walk which so far has raised £33,000 for St Teresa’s Hospice.
Charitable canines are being invited to head to South Park, Darlington, for a 10.30am start on April 28, to enjoy a day of fun, fur and fundraising.
Organisers hope to raise £12,700 this year for the hospice which serves patients and their families in Darlington, South Durham and North Yorkshire.
Jollyes Pet Superstore in North Road, Darlington, is backing the event again this year and all those taking part will be provided with a goodie bag.
Also attending the event this year will be South Durham Dog Agility, the RSPCA, Darlington Dogs Trust, Darlington Greyhound Trust, Harringtons and Stanhope Park Veterinary Hospital.
Now in its fourth year, last year’s event attracted 546 dogs and raised more than £11,500.
Registration for Bark in the Park is open now at www.support.darlingtonhospice.org.uk/pages/bark-in-the-park. Pre-event registration costs £5 or entry on the day is £7.
For hospice healthcare assistant Denise Hughes the event is a welcome opportunity for her dog Arthur to meet up with old friends and make new ones.
She said: “Arthur was only a puppy last year but made a friend Corby who he still walks with now. He loved it; it is such a great social event.”
St Teresa’s Hospice chief executive Jane Bradshaw said: “Pets figure largely in our work and are regular visitors to the hospice. They lift patients’ spirits and help them relax, which aids pain relief.
“Pets mean so much to people and Bark in the Park is a wonderful show of support for the hospice, a brilliant fun day, which raises much-need funds and also awareness about our work.”