Four-legged friends from across the region will take the fundraising lead at St Giles Hospice’s first ‘Pooch in the Park’ event.

The sponsored event – which will put a wag in the tail of any animal-lover – invites dogs and their owners to take part in the biggest ‘walkies’ in the area on Sunday 14th September from 11.00am.

With prizes for the pooch with the most sponsorship, the one with the waggiest tail and the pet with a hairstyle most like its owner’s, there’s plenty of barking mad entertainment on offer – and every entry receives a free doggy bag to take away.

Sarah Shelton, Community Fundraiser at St Giles says: “Our 2.5 miles course through Kingsbury Water Park is a dog-walker’s paradise and we hope plenty of pets will bring their families along to enjoy it – and at the same time help raise vital funds for local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses.

“Animals play an important role in life at St Giles Hospice. We have ‘visiting dogs’ which really lift the spirits of patients staying with us, particularly those who have had to be away from their pets during their illness.

“Pooch in the Park is a fun way for families to enjoy a Sunday in the great outdoors together with their pets, and so we’re inviting people to bring a picnic, for themselves and for their dogs.”

The course is made up of pushchair-friendly paths and is suitable for people and dogs of all abilities. Entry is £10 per dog, while participating pooches are also encouraged to collar as many sponsors as possible for their efforts. Dog owners and families go free.

For an entry form and sponsorship pack please call 01543 432538, email sarah.shelton@st-giles-hospice.org.uk or visit www.stgileshospice.com.
Kingsbury Water Park, located off Bodymoor Heath Lane, near Kingsbury, lies between Tamworth and Birmingham.

St Giles Hospice is a registered charity offering high-quality medical and nursing care for people with cancer and other serious illnesses, as well as providing support for their families and carers.

Patients come from across the hospice’s catchment area, which ranges from Ashby de la Zouch and Atherstone in the east, to Cannock and Walsall in the west – and from Burton and Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.

Care is offered at the hospice's facilities in Sutton Coldfield and Whittington between Lichfield and Tamworth, or in patients' own homes across the region.

St Giles spends over £5.5 million every year providing its specialist services and with less than a third of this funded by the Government, relies heavily on donations and fundraising.