This year I’ll be walking 100km from along the Thames Path on the 9th & 10th September in order to raise money for a fantastic charity called Candy Cane Rescue who carry out invaluable work for Freya’s cousins in China, saving them from the barbaric dog meat trade and offering them a chance at a new life. The route will take me all the way from Putney to Henley-on-Thames and if last year’s unseasonable downpour is any indication of what’s in store this year then it really will be a test of endurance! As always your support really means the world to me and is your kind donations are the one thing that keeps me pushing forwards whenever I’m crazy enough to sign up to one of these challenges, so anything you’re able to spare for Candy Cane Rescue would not only be so gratefully received by the rescue but by me too, and of course Freya’s pointy nosed relatives across the other side of the world who face such bleak futures without your help.

Candy Cane Rescue was founded earlier this year by Kerry Elliman of Birmingham Greyhound Protection with a view to saving as many hounds as possible from the meat trade in China. We’ve all seen the horrific videos and images coming out of the dog meat markets - these dogs are not afforded the luxury of a quick death. In parts of China it is still believed that slowly torturing animals prior their death gives the eater health benefits. A number of brave activists in China work tirelessly to rescue dogs from the meat trucks, which is when Candy Cane steps in to offer shelter, food and water while the dogs undergo veterinary treatment before they are well enough to fly to the UK to be rehomed with loving families. The funds raised by Candy Cane are used to pay for safe, clean kennelling for the dogs in China, the necessary vaccinations, vet treatments, spaying/neutering, de-flea/de-worming treatments, passport documentation, beds, blankets, toys and crates to enable them to travel and the cost of passage to the UK once fit enough to fly. Without Candy Cane and the support of the UK community this work really would not be possible.

It’s no secret that greyhounds are one of the most mistreated and maligned breeds in the world and those facing a slow, agonising death in Chinese meat markets are just about as desperate for help as they come. Despite mounting pressure across the globe to eradicate dog meat markets there is currently no indication that China has any intention of enforcing a ban, so the fate of these gentle-natured dogs rest in the hands of those who are willing to extend a lifeline and offer hope to the many greyhounds who find themselves facing the most miserable of deaths. I'm not generally a fan of phrases designed to tug on the heartstrings but in this scenario it is fair to say that all donations no matter how big or small could mean the difference between a dog finding it's forever sofa or a long and protracted death at the hands of it's abusers.

Important note: Candy Cane Rescue is a new charity and has not yet been assigned a charity number, which is why I am fundraising via a "crowdfunding" method rather than a charity fundraising page. The funds will be sent first to me and then passed on to Candy Cane Rescue and I am happy to show proof of the transfer. You can follow their work at https://www.facebook.com/CandyCaneRescue/