This year’s third annual Wimbledon Guild Waggy Walk took place with one major difference – it was entirely virtual!
Waggy Walk launched back in 2018 on the beautiful Wimbledon Common. The money raised each year from the event helps fund Wimbledon Guild’s vital work supporting people across Merton.
This year, due to COVID-19, it wasn’t possible for Waggy Walk to take place in the same way as previous years. However, Wimbledon Guild was determined that the event still go ahead.
Mark Williams, Head of Communications and Fundraising at Wimbledon Guild, explains:
For us it was more important than ever for Waggy Walk to happen this year. During COVID-19 our support has extended to cover many people not previously in need of support, but now finding themselves in difficulty – from practical help with food deliveries and issuing supermarket vouchers, to supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing with our telephone befriending and Talking Therapies services.
These essential services come at a cost and the money raised from this year’s virtual Wimbledon Guild Waggy Walk will help us make sure that we are always here to support people when they need us.
Wimbledon Guild made several changes to this year’s event to make sure it was COVID-19 safe – participants were able to walk where they wanted, when they wanted during Waggy Walk week. Instead of a fixed price, the charity asked for donations to take part, and everyone who donated £10 or more received a fantastic free goodie bag from Wimbledon Village pet shop, Pet Pavilion, packed with delicious treats for their canine companion.
Although, understandably, the number of people (and dogs!) taking part was down on previous years, Waggy Walk 2020 still attracted a good turnout across the week, and even had several people taking part for the first time!
Wimbledon Guild would like to thank all humans and their canine friends who took part and donated to this year’s Waggy Walk.
They’d also like to thank event sponsors Ashworth Solicitors and Pet Pavilion, and The Hand in Hand pub and Wimbledon Common Conservators for supporting the event.
Thank You & Well Done to the organisers at Wimbledon Guild for adapting this much loved event to the challenges of current times!
We cannot wait to see what they have in stall for us in 2021; and understand they are already looking ahead to the next Waggy Walk, so watch this space for details!
Article by Susanne (WCA) & Zoe (Wimbledon Guild)
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