A READING resident is raising funds with a loveable companion in tow to help in the fight against cancer.
Sam Rowden is taking up the mantle in Stand Up To Cancer’s “Walkies Challenge,” in which fundraisers are invited to bring along their pooches in support of Cancer Research.
Ms Rowden has undertaken the challenge of walking 60 miles throughout the event, which runs through April, accompanied by Corby the cockapoo.
She said that it all started after noticing a Facebook post: “I did some fundraising for Sue Ryder a few years ago, when I lost my best friend to cancer after a very short three-month journey.
“I’m also lucky enough to be 12 years clear of cancer too, and without the research and treatment I had, I probably wouldn’t have been here to see my son grow up, so it’s very close to my heart.
“So when this event came up on Facebook, I thought it was a good idea to maybe get fitter and walk the dog as a fun thing to do while raising money.”
So she joined a Facebook group where “members are sharing their reasons for taking part, some are going through cancer at the moment, some of them have lost people, and some of them just have a dog.
“I personally haven’t done any fundraising for a little while, so I thought ‘I’ll do this.”
Ms Rowden explained that part of the campaign is seeking for the majority of cancer patients to survive: “I had breast cancer, to which a lot of funding is given, but with some other cancers, not so much.
“So SU2C is hoping that by 2034 the majority of people survive what is one of the biggest killers.”
Those taking part are encouraged to aim for 60 miles walked in April, some while accompanied by dogs, and to upload their progress to dedicated fundraising pages.
Ms Rowden has already smashed through her original target of £150, raising more than three times that.
At the time of printing, her page had garnered more than £500 in donations.
Despite inclement weather and protestations from a problem knee, Ms Rowden said she would “plod on.
“I’ve promised that I’ll post pictures of me looking probably mostly bedraggled and wet as I walk, just to make it that bit more fun.
“But Corby is completely crazy, and could quite happily do 10 miles a day, so he’ll be with me much of the way.”
Corby will also be taking part in some of the publicity work, she explained: “I’ve already ordered a bandana for Corby to wear while we’re out and about.”
Stand Up To Cancer and Cancer Research UK are inviting people and their pooches to take part in the SU2C Walkies Challenge to help fund cancer research.
It is open to teams and individuals, and provides a fundraising page for participants to update their progress.
More information about Sam Rowden and Corby’s progress and how to donate can be found at her fundraising page: fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/samanthas-su2c-dog-walking-giving-page-90
