Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Earlier this year we realised that raising sufficient funds to maintain our service to a scheme known as Petretreat, meant we would have to come up with some new ideas.  I came up with the idea of walking the length of the Kennet and Avon canal, 85 miles approximately over 7 days accompanied by a vet or a member of staff or friend most days.  I do not have good lungs and that coupled with my mature age meant that I needed somewhere I could catch my breath.  This was the best I could find as it's more or less on the flat.   I have booked to do this August 8th to 14th with a reception at Bristol Animal Home on arrival, hopefully!

We, the Somerset East Branch, had wanted to give a further £2000 from our shop at Street but the work we do overall meant that we did not have enough in reserve to do all our usual work in the area of Somerset East, we do a tremendous amount with the homeless, the travellers and the gypsy community on top of our day to day work. You may be surprised to know that the Somerset East Branch although part of the RSPCA is an independant charity both raising and spending its own money.

Petretreat is a scheme we run as a group of branches from the southwest and south and it is there to help families with pets who need to escape a situation of domestic abuse.  Often they are unable to leave a because they know the violent partner will injure or kill any animals left behind.  We meet the family at the refuge and take their animals into our care.  We give them all the veterinary attention and love we can until hopefully in the future they are returned to the family when safe to do so.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

We have done some more work on this and planned out the overnight stops now to give around 11 to 13 miles each day. Ouch!  The first night, Saturday should see us near Woolhampton, Sunday near Kintbury, Monday night near Wootton Rivers, Tuesday, Devizes, Wednesday, Bradford on Avon, Thursday,Twerton in Bath and at Bristol Dogs Home by tea time on friday.  Reckoning at 3 miles an hour and starting no earlier than 10am then finish when we finish each day hopefully with support from someone for some of the time.  Caen Hill locks look brilliant especially as I will be coming down them!!! Probably the accommodation is the most difficult but I am now planning a couple of pubs to break the tedium!! I will always have the mobile on and reading emails so keep in touch and join me if you wish through rspcasomerseteast@hotmail.com

Winding up now for the start next saturday. Nervous? Yes but determined, with all the help you are giving I just have to do it.

Nearly there - start tomorrow morning 10am in Reading at Watlington St. bridge - come and see me off if you can. The more support the better