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08/08/2009 - RSPCA Council Member’s ‘Water Walk’ To Help Animal Victims Of Domestic Violence
RSPCA volunteer Maggie Baker may not actually be able to walk on water but she is doing the next best thing to raise money for the animal victims of domestic violence by walking the route of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
Maggie, who is the treasurer of the RSPCA’s national council and treasurer and welfare officer of the RSPCA East Somerset branch already seems to find more hours than there are in a day to carry out vital animal welfare work, both locally and nationally.
But with the credit crunch making it harder for charities to raise money, Maggie aims to raise £3,000 for the RSPCA PetRetreat scheme at a time when many of the scheme’s clients may be suffering more than most. This is because research suggests domestic violence may increase with the stress brought on by financial hardship.
The PetRetreat scheme, formerly known as ‘Petsafe’, started in June 2002 as a pilot project working with refuges in Somerset, Bristol and Bath. It has since grown to cover the whole of the South and South West, and then expanded to include Wales and West and the North of England.
PetRetreat fills the gaps left by domestic violence refuges, very few of which can arrange pet fostering and most of which cannot shelter pets due to health and safety regulations and allergy concerns.
Pet owners seeking refuge are usually forced to rely on the kindness of friends when it comes to looking after their pets. If friends can’t step in to take temporary care of the animals then often a traumatic decision must be made to give them up for rehoming or have them put to sleep.
Maggie, a former teacher, said: “Calls to refuges and relevant charities suggest domestic violence is often increased by tensions in the home due to financial worries – so faced with a credit crunch the service provided by PetReatreat is even more vital.
“I have been a big supporter of the PetRetreat scheme since it started in 2002 and on a personal level, outside the RSPCA, I have at times helped people subject to domestic abuse so I understand how it can affect the whole family – who then desperately need support.”
In readiness for the big walk, Maggie has been training on the Bridgwater to Taunton Canal and walking between seven and 10 miles at least twice a week for the last four months.
The seven day walk will start in Reading on Saturday 8 August and will see Maggie cover around 85 miles, finishing in Bristol.
The itinerary for the walk is:
Saturday 8 August - Reading to Woolhampton
Sunday 9 August - Woolhampton to Kintbury
Monday 10 - Kintbury to Wootton Rivers
Tuesday 11 - Wootton Rivers to Bishops Cannings
Wednesday 12 August - Bishop Cannings to Bradford on Avon
Thursday 13 August – Bradford on Avon to Bath
Friday 14 - Bath to Bristol (as near to the RSPCA Bristol Clinic as possible) about 3.30 - 4pm.
RSPCA staff members and volunteers will be joining Maggie for specific days of her journey to help spur her along.
And to mark the end of the walk there will be a celebratory gathering at the RSPCA Bristol Clinic, at Albert Road, St Phillips with volunteers and rescue dogs from the RSPCA Bristol Cats & Dogs Home joining in for the last part.
RSPCA Bristol Veterinary Manager, Mandy Stone, said "We will be very pleased to welcome Maggie to the Bristol RSPCA at the end of her fantastic fund-raising effort. Our Clinic supports Pet Retreat by providing free neutering, microchipping & veterinary treatment for the fostered animals on the scheme."
Anyone who would like to sponsor Maggie or make a donation can visit www.justgiving.com/Maggie-Baker and donate online.
Article By: RSPCA South West
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