Over £70,000 raised for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Essex residents raised over £70,000 at Battersea’s Muddy Dog Challenge, supported by LV=.

Taking place at Stansted Park Estate, over 500 participants were given the opportunity to take on the UK’s first 2.5km and 5km obstacle course.

Runners and their furry companions attempted some obstacles –including taking on scramble nets, trampolines, balance beams, and the infamous ‘Muddy Mayhem’.

The water obstacles proved most popular on the day, with dogs and their owners enjoying a cooling down.

Among the participants were Amanda Barker from Needham Market, Suffolk, who ran with her Battersea rescue dog Jabba, who she rehomed from Battersea Brands Hatch a year ago. Amanda said: “We signed up for the Muddy Dog Challenge as soon as it opened, I loved it, it’s been amazing. Jabba loved the water obstacles and going through the mud.”

Other participants included 13 Vet Nurses and Administrative staff from Northants Vet Hospital, who raised over £2,500 for the Home.

They all ran with their own dogs and said, “When we saw the event advertised on Facebook we jumped at the chance to take part. It’s been awesome and we’ll definitely come back next year.”

Emma Lovesey, challenge and public events manager at Battersea, said: “Essex residents came out in full muddy-force to raise an impressive amount of money for the dogs and cats at Battersea.

“We’re so grateful for the contribution they’ve made to the Home and hope they didn’t mind the mud too much! There was a real family atmosphere with participants and their friends and family enjoying picnics in the grass and enjoying the sunshine at the beautiful Stansted Park Estate”.