Two animal care assistants from RSPCA Isle of Wight are training to take on a gruelling 106km non-stop walk around the Island this April to raise much-needed funds for the animals in the charity’s care.
Having completed the epic challenge last year in 36 hours and 46 minutes, Vanessa Cox was keen to attempt the walk again and will this year be joined by colleague Hannah Allen-Western to walk as ‘Team Forever Pawsome’.
Vanessa and Hannah are clocking up the miles in preparation for the mammoth walk with the help of Hannah’s pet dog Miley, who has been accompanying the pair on some of the shorter night walks through the Isle of Wight countryside.
The pair began training in December and have been undertaking three to five walks each month of between 20km to 50km in length to prepare themselves for the challenge, which is part of an Ultra Series.
Their jobs at RSPCA Isle of Wight keep them active, with the animals in their care requiring plenty of regular exercise, all of which contributes to the pair’s training and helps keep them focused on the reason why they are undertaking the challenge.
Vanessa said:
“We are both passionate about animal welfare and through our work we are fortunate enough to see first-hand the amazing work RSPCA Isle of Wight does for the animals in its care.
“The Isle of Wight branch receives no direct funding from the national RSPCA so relies heavily on donations.
"By doing this walk we hope to both raise awareness of the charity’s work on the Island and raise some funds for the centre to help it give animals the care and treatment they deserve.”
Vanessa and Hannah have sent themselves a fundraising target of £1,200 — donations can be made online.
RSPCA Isle of Wight Branch Manager Suzanne Pugh said:
“Everyone at the centre is in awe of Vanessa and Hannah for taking on such a demanding challenge in aid of the animals in our care.
"The girls are out in all weather conditions – both day and night – in preparation for the walk - and I hope animal lovers will join us in getting behind the pair so that they can smash their fundraising target.”
The Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge begins from Chale on April 29, with participants following a clockwise route around the Island.
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