A Southampton dog lover has set himself a challenge to run 1,111 miles in 2024 to help dogs in need, and raise money for Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity.
53-year-old Ian Williamson, who works at Brookfield Community School in Warsash, says he owes so much to his own dog, Wilson, that he has decided this is the year to give back to dogs who aren’t as lucky as his canine companion.
Ian says: “Dogs are amazing and have the capacity to lift your mood and de-stress you. Life can sometimes be tough but whatever is going on, Wilson is there, without fail. He’s always excited to see me, wagging his tail and immediately wanting a cuddle when I come in from work. He changes my whole outlook. Wilson has been in my life since he was a puppy and he’s ten now. He never changes, he’s always there for me and he makes every single day better.
“Plus having a dog makes you get out and exercise and taking Wilson on his walks got me thinking about what I could do to help dogs that aren’t as fortunate as him and I came up with this idea! I can help other dogs whilst also doing something that is good for me, physically and mentally.”
Ian has decided to raise money for Dogs Trust, which cares for 14,000 dogs across its network of 21 rehoming centres in the UK, who have found themselves without a home, often through no fault of their own. The charity also supports dog owners experiencing homelessness and those escaping domestic abuse, caring for their dogs until they can return to their owners or find new homes where they will be safe and loved. The charity also offers a free behaviour advice service with the aim of helping keep dogs and their owners together and campaigns on behalf of dogs, tackling issues such as puppy smuggling.
Ian is aiming to run around 100 miles a month to make sure he reaches his target and has already passed the 30-mile mark with Riverside Park being his favourite route of choice currently, but in the coming months, he aims to head further afield and is committed to completing one marathon towards his goal.
He originally set himself a target of 1,000 miles but wanted the challenge to link to a dog in some way, so as dogs have four legs, he says he ‘bizarrely’ decided to go for the four ones!
“It’s just how my brain works!” says Ian. “I set the mileage and then decided to set £1,111 as my fundraising target too. As a result of the pandemic and cost of living crisis, I know Dogs Trust has been getting enquiries from more owners than ever needing to give up their dogs. I can’t even imagine what that feels like so I want to do what I can to help make sure that any dog that does come into the care of Dogs Trust has everything they need until they find a family of their own.”
If you would like to support Ian’s fundraising for Dogs Trust, please go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/ian-williamson-1704204436118
