Loneliness and social isolation are chronic problems in the elderly in the North East. An estimated 50,000 pensioners in the region are chronically lonely and are 50% more likely to die prematurely than people with good social networks. This means loneliness is as big a mortality risk as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Many are dog lovers and when they ask for a furry friend from Wag & Company, they get the bonus of a very nice two legged one at the same time. Over 330 amazing Visiting Wag Teams are currently making the difference, from Berwick-upon-Tweed, down to Stokesley, across to Haltwhistle and pretty much everywhere in between. So with just an hour or so most weeks we provide some company for a chat, a cuppa and a cuddle with that much missed furry friend. The results can be transformational with people telling us that their Visiting Wag Team has made my life worth living again, given me something to look forward to.

Evie Mercer has been a volunteer for Wag and Co since 2016, over lock down her managers at Adecco seen first hand the difference and happiness a visit can bring and together they decided to walk for Wag to help raise the funds the charity would miss out on due the cancellation of events such as the Great North Run. 

Mr Bruce (the famous visiting pooch) adores going to see his friends, he drags me through the doors and jumps straight onto his chair ready and waiting for his kisses, cuddles and plenty of custard creams! Although I have him on a lead, its him who takes me round to go see each and every one of his friends. He is great at the job that he does and he knows when when he can have a bit of a play (usually by stealing someones socks!) or when he has to be extra gentle if someone isn't well. 

For me though, its just wonderful to see the smiles on everyones faces when they know Bruce is coming to see them, and being told that everyone has gotten together in the living room and are waiting to see us. His visits bring so much more than happiness though, I've seen individuals who have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's and have very limited memories, but when they see Bruce they are able to have a conversation with me about their pets and their families, I can't put into words how wonderful of a feeling that is. 

One gentleman we met with hadn't actually spoken to anyone in a long time, but when he met Bruce he started cuddling into him and then began to tell me about the Grey Hounds he used to own and how he used to race them.

The reality of it is that a lot of the people that we see don't have many or any visitors come see them, so Bruce's visits are important as it gives those people something to look forward to. As soon as we walk through that door you instantly see the joy on that person's face to know that we are there to see them; and Bruce loves it as he is a big softy who loves all the attention and as I'm a big talker I just love having a cuppa and a good natter! 

The reason why I am running for Wag and Company is because everybody deserves to have someone and nobody should ever feel like they are alone. I know how important our visits are so if I can do just a little bit to help this charity ensure that even more volunteers can go out visiting and making differences for the people who need it most, then I would be over the moon. 

Thank you so much for any donation you can make, regardless of how big or small, its going to a truly wonderful cause.