The whistle has been blown – for dog lovers and their dogs if they have them, to step forward to take part in the annual ‘Walk for Wag’ fundraiser for a North East charity.

Dog walkers and their canine companions are being invited to take to their heels to raise thousands for Wag & Company, a regional charity that works to combat loneliness among older dog lovers.

Walk for Wag, which this year takes place at the new location of Derwent Reservoir and Waterside, in County Durham, on Saturday September 14, has become a popular annual event for families and those with dogs.

It’s a chance for everyone to get together, older friends too, to walk 8km (five miles) along the beautiful Derwent Waterside – knowing that every sponsored step provides Wag friends for elderly dog lovers.

There is also a 3 kilometre (1.86 miles) walk where a shorter distance might be more appropriate for some and those with children or aged dogs. The 8 km walk takes about 1.5 hours at a moderate pace and the 3 km about half an hour. Both walks are on generally good terrain and the 3km walk is wheelchair accessible. People are invited to register – sign up online first to get a walker number – to take part in September.

In pre-Covid years, when the event was held at Kielder Water, it raised more than £10,000 for the charity and its activities. Money raised funds visiting Wag Teams for a whole year, enabling hundreds of visits to older people in their own homes.

Diane Morton, Founding Director of Wag & Company, said: “This is such an important fundraiser for us, our volunteers and supporters. Last year was a lovely day out and we hope it will be bigger and better supported this year, now we have a new location.

“This fabulous family day out would not be possible without all the walkers who support us, the event volunteers but also our business sponsors including Arco who provide all the walker T-shirts and, of course, Northumbrian Water’s team at Derwent Reservoir who host the event and provide the PA system, radios and free parking for walkers.

“Their senior managers even become part of our set up and event management team, physically helping to support the whole event. This year we’re delighted that the amazing Hexham Uketeers as well as our friends from the Northumbria Police Dog section will be back with us too.”

Diane added: “There is no charge to take part, but we rely on your fundraising. So, we need every adult who takes part to fundraise or donate to enable our work.”

The Waggy Tails Fun Dog show – sponsored by Alex Clark of Alex Clark Art fame – is open to walker’s dogs before the walk takes place.

Wag & Company was set up eight years ago to tackle loneliness and isolation among older and vulnerable dog lovers in the North East. The charity has a network of hundreds of volunteers who visit older dog lovers in their own homes as well in care homes or medical establishments – the only North East visiting dog charity to visit people at home.

The charity is urgently recruiting more volunteers with dogs and because Wag never charges anyone for their special befriending service, they are always in need of support from people, organisations and care homes who understand the importance of friendship and the company of a dog.

For more information on how to get involved contact: www.wagandcompany.co.uk