March Dog Walking Challenge 2023

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 t-shirt, 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’re logged into Facebook, you can set one up in a few seconds by following this link.

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.

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 by clicking  here
• 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 t-shirt, 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 bank transfer: please email virtualevents@dementiauk.org for our bank details
• Make a payment by phone by calling 020 8059 4400

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

You certainly can. We’ll send you a sponsorship form with your t-shirt, but if you need more than one form, simply download and print more copies.

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 here. 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 Facebook fundraiser 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 Facebook 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 Facebook fundraiser
• 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 Facebook – this will say whether they donated to your Facebook fundraiser, or straight to Dementia UK

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

How do I get my free t-shirt and dog bandana?

Visit our Facebook Group and fill in our t-shirt registration form with your details. It will take up to three weeks for your t-shirt and dog bandana to arrive, so please be patient.

I still haven’t received my t-shirt and dog bandana – where are they?

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

Can I get more than one t-shirt and dog bandana for the challenge?

We send out one t-shirt per participant and one bandana for your pawsome pal! 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 furry friend can change up their style throughout the month.

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 a March Dog Walking Challenge tracker with your t-shirt and 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.