Windsor Pet Lovers get muddy for Battersea

Pet lovers in and around Windsor have raised over £155,000 by taking part in Battersea’s Muddy Dog Challenge - one of the UK’s biggest obstacle courses where members of the public can take part with their dog.     

Over 1,400 participants came together at Windsor Great Park on Saturday (16 September) and Sunday (17 September) in a fun-packed weekend full of mud, sweat and cheers. The event, which has so far raised a total of £157,858 for the charity, was perfectly timed as throughout September, Battersea is championing rescue animals who need a second chance in life both here in the UK and around the world with ‘Wear Blue for Rescue’.

After a starting line warm-up, participants took on the obstacles with their dogs as they weaved in and out of the mutt maze, wriggled through the mud at the canine crawl, leapt over the hurdling hounds and splashed through the doggy ball pit. Friends, family and volunteers clapped participants across the finishing line, where they were each handed a well-earned Muddy Dog Challenge medal and a rosette for their dogs.

Taking on the mud on the day was Nick Toye and his Labrador Bear, a dedicated duo who have taken part in almost every Muddy Dog Challenge event since 2019 and raised thousands of pounds for Battersea. Challenging themselves to complete all six Muddy Dog events this year, Nick and Bear have waded through the mud across the country to support dogs and cats in need of a second chance.

Also taking part on the day was a team from the London Fire Brigade, who ran the course with Wellbeing Dogs from the fire service Peggy, Buddy, Freddie, Hugo, Bear, Freddy, Ted, Hallie and Ruben. Team member Shelley, who took part with her Wellbeing Dog Peggy, said: “Peggy and I took part in the Muddy Dog Challenge on our own last year and absolutely loved it, it was such a fun day and Peggy loved splashing around in the mud. We really wanted to take part in the event again and thought it was a great opportunity to bring the London Fire Brigade Wellbeing Dog Team together for a fun team building day with the dogs whilst raising money for a good cause that is very close to our hearts. The dogs all had such a great day and will be having a well-earned treat later!”

Battersea’s Senior Challenge Events Officer, Jasmine Monk, said: “Our Windsor Muddy Dog Challenge events are particularly special to us as one of our three centres is located nearby in the Royal Borough, so it was great to see so many animal lovers coming together to support Battersea and celebrate Battersea’s Wear Blue for Rescue, which is taking place throughout September. I want to thank all those who participated, volunteered, and cheered on their loved ones. Everyone has helped make this a really special day and without everyone’s support, we simply wouldn’t be able to do it.”

For more information about the Muddy Dog Challenge and how to take part, please visit the Battersea website: https://www.muddydog.battersea.org.uk/