GET ACTIVE AND RAISE FUNDS FOR GUIDE DOGS

Take 100 000 steps in seven days to support guide dogs.

Locals are invited to get active in support of the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind between 11 and 18 May through their walkathon.

In line with social distancing and lockdown regulations, the association challenges residents to take 100 000 steps within the seven-day period and raise much-needed funds for the training of guide dogs.

Participants must start a GivenGain fundraising page and encourage friends, family and colleagues to sponsor them and aim to raise at least R500. Walkers can use a step-counting device or a smartphone health app to record their steps, post them on social media and GivenGain alongside photos and videos and tag @sa_guide_dogs on Instagram.

Event manager Jackie Quail said the walkathon gives participants the opportunity to get fit and healthy (which can be tough during lockdown) while also supporting the association.

“Now that we have a three-hour exercise window in the morning, it will give people that extra push to get up and go to get their steps in,” said Quail.

The aim of the event is to raise much-needed funds for the association.

“Due to the pandemic, all of our planned fundraising events for the foreseeable future have been cancelled. We have had to come up with new ways to still host events and fundraising initiatives that adhere to social distancing and lockdown rules.”

Quail said that it costs the association R100 000 to train one working dog.

“It would be wonderful if we could raise up to R100 000.”

The association receives no government support so each donation will go a long way to helping them continue their work.

If you would like to participate, email JackieQ@guidedog.org.za