Ellie and I are volunteers for Wag & Company along with our Friendship Dogs. Wag & Co is a regional charity based in the North East that addresses isolation and loneliness within our elderly community.

Personally, our journeys with Wag have been nothing short of amazing!

Alfie and I became a Wag Team at the end of 2019 where we began our visits to a local care home. During Lockdown in 2020, Alfie met Ellie. He was a great comfort to her during these difficult times as she has Downs Syndrome, a number of related health conditions, is autistic and has Asperger's Syndrome. It also taught her new skills relating to caring for an animal. As a 'thank you' Ellie joined me for our first Walk for Wag in September 2020 under government restrictions. Our little team consisted of myself, Ellie, Rebecca (Ellie's Mum) and Alfie, where we walked a 10km route along the River Tees at the Tees Barrage. This walk was an amazing achievement for Ellie!

That day, Ellie became a dog owner herself. So in 2021 after Ruby – her Romanian rescue – had qualified as a Friendship Dog, we had an addition to our team, and we completed another 10km challenge between Redcar and Saltburn.

Fast-forward another year and our team grew by one more, as Finn (my rescue dog) had arrived from Turkey and qualified as a Friendship Dog in 2022. Although Ellie was unable to complete a 10km route on medical grounds, we all headed to Kielder to finally meet everyone at the main Walk for Wag event and complete the 3km route.

Fast forward again to 2023 and with all dogs now well and truly settled in to their Wag roles, we had to think of something different to do this year. Again Ellie is unable to complete the 10km walking route on health grounds, but our idea for this year is just perfect!

We will swim 10km instead of walking it!

Ellie and I are both keen swimmers, In fact, that is how Ellie and I met. Ellie joined our local swimming club and is a member of the Masters Section, where I coach and swim! Ellie also competes in Special Olympics and Downs Syndrome Galas.

So, the training has been done and we begin our challenge on Monday July 3rd. We will take on the challenge at our local pool – Thornaby Pool – during out Masters session on a Monday and the adult only session on the Thursday. Ellie will also use her C.H.I.L.D session on a Sunday morning, where needs be. Each session is 1 hour long and we plan to complete it as quickly as we can.

This challenge is going to test us both in different ways, so we would really appreciate your support.

In addition to our swim in July, TEAM ELLIE ( which includes Ellie, myself, Rebecca, Alfie, Ruby and Finn) will also be taking part in a shorter 'Walk for Wag' in September, but we'll chat about that later in the year.

We know first-hand the difference our visits make to our Wag Friends. Alfie and I sadly lost Doreen, one of our Wag Friends this year, but were honoured to be invited to her funeral. I was very touched by the warmth and gratitude received from her family. Those memories of Doreen and her family will live with me forever.

Since Lockdown, the need for Wag & Company's visiting teams has multiplied enormously, to a point where we have waiting lists in all authorities across the North East. Every penny will help support a visiting Wag Team and make a massive difference to those we visit.

Thank you so much for your support.

Steph, Ellie, Rebecca, Alfie, Ruby and Finn

Here is some additional information explaining why Wag & Co is so important in our area.

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.