Take the Paws for Porchlight challenge - March 2024

What’s the challenge?

Throughout the month of March, hundreds of Porchlight supporters – people and pups – will be walking 100 miles to raise money to help homeless and vulnerable people in Kent.

All dogs whose humans register will receive a free Porchlight-branded doggie bandanna to keep them looking super smart while completing the challenge.

Set your own pace

It doesn’t matter how you complete your 100 miles. You can walk three miles every day, or you can save your miles up for bigger walks at the weekend, for example.

Set your own pace. All that matters is that you take on the challenge in a way that’s appropriate for your dog’s – and your own – levels of fitness and health. And if in doubt, be sure to consult your doctor and/or vet.

How do I fundraise for my challenge?

Once you’ve signed up for the challenge, ask your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to sponsor you. They might want to sponsor you 25p or 50p per mile, perhaps, or a set amount for the whole challenge.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to set up your own Facebook fundraising page. We’ll be sharing top tips on how to do this here in our Paws for Porchlight community Facebook group, as well as lots of other advice on how to really maximise your fundraising during the challenge.

The Facebook group is a great place to get support and encouragement from other dog-walkers in Kent who’re also taking part in the challenge – and there will be plenty of cute dog photos for extra motivation!

If you have friends and family who’d like to make a donation outside of Facebook, you can download and print our offline sponsorship form to keep a record of any cash donations. You can find this in the Facebook group, or here.

After the challenge

Then, at the end of the challenge, you can simply send the total donations to us in one of five ways:

1. Make a donation yourself to your own Facebook fundraising page (this will ensure these donations are added to your fundraising total)
2. Here on our website (please reference Paws for Porchlight on the form)
3. Here on the Paws for Porchlight JustGiving page
4. Give our friendly team a call on 01227 813199
5. Send a cheque, payable to Porchlight, to FAO Fundraising, Porchlight, 18-19 Watling Street, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2UA. Please write ‘Paws for Porchlight’ on the reverse of the cheque and include your name and postal address

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the Paws for Porchlight Facebook group or email events@porchlight.org.uk Our Facebook group moderators will be online from 9am to 9pm every day, and our email inbox will be monitored during normal office hours (9am to 5pm on weekdays).

How do I register?

All you need to do is fill in this quick form and we’ll send you step-by-step instructions on how to join our Facebook group, set up your fundraising, and get cracking with your challenge.

We’re so grateful for your kind and generous support – welcome aboard and let’s get walking!

Please note: We have a limited stock of bandannas and want to make sure all of our furry participants receive one, so if you have more than three dogs taking part, get in touch with the Paws for Porchlight team in our Facebook group or by emailing events@porchlight.org.uk – and we’ll do our best to get an extra bandanna sent out to you, while stocks last. Please title your email ‘Paws for Porchlight’.