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Walking

March Dog Walking Challenge

Walk, fetch and explore your way through March with your faithful companion and count up the kilometres to help families facing dementia.

  • Date: 1st March 2024 - 31st March 2024
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Give your daily dog walk a purpose. Every step you take and every pound you and your pup raise will help to ensure that no one faces dementia alone.

You can complete the March Dog Walking Challenge at your own pace and in your own way, and getting started is easy!

How?

  1. Join our March Dog Walking Challenge Facebook Group.
  2. Request your FREE Dementia UK dog bandana.
  3. Set up your Facebook fundraiser or JustGiving page.

Once you’ve done that, start spreading the word about your challenge to family and friends.

In the run-up to the challenge and throughout March, you’ll be able to connect with thousands of other dog-walkers in our Facebook Group – and feel an incredible sense of achievement when you reach 100km at the end of the month!

Once you’ve completed the challenge, we’ll send you a virtual medal and certificate to thank you for your hard work and determination.

Karen took on the March Dog Walking Challenge in 2022. Here’s what she had to say about her experience:

“I loved the challenge because it gave me the space, peace and time to think of and grieve my dad, which I cannot do when I’m with my mum, who has dementia. Being outdoors and walking in so many different locations – beach, countryside, woods and beautiful gardens – lightened my heart and gave me the strength to keep going and provide the memories that Mum no longer has.”

I’ve just signed up – now what?

The next step is to join the March Dog Walking Challenge Facebook Group. Once you’re in, you can register for your free dog bandana, set up your fundraiser, meet your fellow walkers and find out anything else you’d like to know about the challenge.

How do I fundraise?

Creating a Facebook fundraiser is the quickest and easiest way to raise money.

Once you’ve logged into Facebook and joined our Facebook Group, click on our featured post to register and create your fundraiser.

Want to create a JustGiving page instead? Head to the JustGiving website to create your fundraising page.

Once you have created a fundraising page, be sure to share it with your family and friends via social media, text, email and WhatsApp.

Prefer to fundraise offline? Download a sponsorship form to get started today.

Is there a registration fee?

Taking part in the March Dog Walking Challenge for Dementia UK is free!

Is there a fundraising target?

There is no fundraising target for this challenge – we just ask you to raise as much as you can for families affected by dementia.

How can I send in sponsorship money I’ve collected offline?

The easiest way to send cash donations to Dementia UK is by donating to your online fundraising page. Alternatively, you can:

  • Donate via our website
  • Send in a cheque made payable to Dementia UK. Enclose a note including your full name, the email address that you used to register for your dog bandana, and an explanation that you raised the money for the March Dog Walking Challenge. Post it to us at:

Dementia UK

7th Floor

One Aldgate

London

EC3N 1RE

  • Make a payment by phone by calling 0300 365 5500

Can I raise money without setting up an online fundraising page?

You certainly can. We’ll send you a sponsorship form with your dog bandana, but if you need more than one form, simply download and print more copies here.

Please ask your sponsors to fill out all the columns so we can claim up to 25% Gift Aid.

Where do donations to my Facebook fundraiser or JustGiving page go?

All donations made to your fundraiser will be sent directly to Dementia UK by Facebook and JustGiving. These vital donations will help support families facing dementia.

What if I set up two Facebook fundraisers by mistake?

If you have started two Facebook fundraisers, don’t worry: you can check and edit them. You can then close the one you no longer need, which will focus your fundraising onto one page.

What happens if donations don’t appear on my fundraising page straight away?

Normally, if donations don’t appear on your fundraising page immediately, they will within 48 hours. However, if your donation hasn’t appeared after this time there are a few different possibilities.

  • Donations from other countries can take a lot longer to come through to fundraising page and then to Dementia UK. This could take as long as several weeks
  • The donation didn’t go through. Please ask your donor to check if the money has left their account
  • PayPal takes up to three days to register to your fundraising page
  • Your sponsor didn’t donate to your fundraising page, but instead clicked the ‘donate now’ button which links directly to Dementia UK. Ask your sponsor to check the receipt they were emailed directly from JustGiving – this will say whether they donated to your JustGiving fundraiser, or straight to Dementia UK

If the problem persists, please email  virtualevents@dementiauk.org so we can investigate further.

Where and how can I complete my kilometers?

You can complete your kilometers wherever you like, however you like! Just make sure you record your walks and keep your sponsors updated on your progress.

How do I record how many kilometers I have walked?

Strava is a free, easy to use app that can track your kilometers throughout March. We highly recommend downloading it for this challenge. You will also receive an March Dog Walking Challenge tracker with your dog bandana, which you can use to tick off your kilometers.

Can I start early or late?

Of course! Our Facebook Group is active in March, when the majority of people are likely to take part, but you can do this challenge whenever is best for you. The more challenge participants we have, the more families can receive the life-changing support of our specialist dementia nurses.

Can I do more or less than 100km?

Absolutely. This is your challenge, and you can tailor it to suit you. Just be clear with your supporters about how far you are intending to go and keep them updated regularly with your progress.

What safety precautions should my dog and I take?

Safety should be the top priority when taking part in the March Dog Walking Challenge. You know your dog best and we encourage you to think about the distance you walk at one time and whether it is appropriate for your dog, especially if they are still a puppy. If you have any concerns about your furry friend, please consult a vet.

What if I don’t complete the challenge?

The only thing that matters is that you challenge yourself and enjoy raising awareness and funds so our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses can support families. Do as much as you can. Update your sponsors regularly, be clear about how far you’ve come in your challenge, and make sure they are still happy to donate to Dementia UK.

How do I get my fundraising pack, including my dog bandana?

Visit our Facebook Group and fill in our March Dog Walking Challenge registration form with your details. It will take up to two weeks for your pack to arrive, so please be patient.

I still haven’t received my fundraising pack – where is it?

We’re sorry to hear you haven’t received your pack yet. If you have waited two weeks since completing the registration form, please email virtualevents@dementiauk.org and we will investigate.

Can I get additional materials?

If you would like to buy some additional Dementia UK branded items, please visit our  shop. You’ll even find a different coloured dog bandana for sale so your four-legged friend can change their style throughout the month.