WINTER Walkies is coming! Canine capers as St Clare prepares for 13th annual charity dog walk

Puppy love is in the air at St Clare Hospice as registration officially opens for the charity’s annual Winter Walkies event.

The 5k pooch parade will be taking place at the Hastingwood-based hospice on Sunday 24th February 2019 and more than 200 walkers and their furry friends are expected to support the fundraiser.

St Clare Hospice’s Events Fundraiser, Emma Broadbent, is organising the event and said: “This year marks the 13th time the Hospice has hosted the event and it is as popular as ever! The 2018 walk saw 250 walkers and their dogs take part, and we are hoping even more people register for 2019.”

Emma continued: “Anyone is welcome to join us on this rural route across the beautiful Essex countryside – whether you are a dog owner or not. Just remember your wellies as it is likely there will be plenty of muddy feet and paws. It is such a great event – you’d be barking mad to miss it!”

As part of the event’s launch the hospice is once again hosting their ever-popular ‘Cutest Canine Competition’ – and the charity is calling on local pet-owners to enter their favourite photograph of their pet to win a hamper of doggy goodies and the chance to officially start the Winter Walkies event.

Voting for the St Clare ‘Cutest Canine Competition’ will run from Monday 21st to Friday 25th January 2019 on the charity’s Facebook page. All entries are due by 12noon on Friday 18th January and entrants must have registered for Winter Walkies 2019 in order to be eligible for the competition.

Registration costs £10 for adults and £5 for children, which includes a free soup, dog rosette and certificates for children. Walkers can also sign up on the day. Please be aware that the route is not suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

This year’s event is kindly sponsored by Epping-based vets, Forest Veterinary Centre.

For more information and to register, call Emma Broadbent on 01279 773754, email [email protected] or see https://stclarehospice.org.uk/event/winter-walkies/