Fundraising manager launches charity campaign with her pooch Douglas

Maureen Mason, who generates funds for Cancer Research UK in Wolverhampton, is calling on people to sign up and walk 10,000 steps a day in March for the charity.

And to prove it can be a walk in the park, she’s teamed up with her dog Douglas and his fellow furry friends to show just how easy it can be.

The mother of four said: “Walk All Over Cancer is a great way to get a bit more active while raising funds for Cancer Research UK. It’s can be hard to motivate yourself to go for walks during the cold, dark months of winter but now that Spring is just around the corner, making a public pledge to take part in March can help kick start a new routine.

“I’ve always enjoyed walking but I didn’t used to get out and walk daily. Now I have a beautiful red cockapoo called Douglas it’s much easier to get out and do those steps. Walking a dog is also a great way to socialise with other animal lovers while getting fit.”

People can tackle the Walk All Over Cancer challenge in their own way, taking part on their own or asking family, friends and colleagues – and dogs - to join them.

Paula Young, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for the West Midlands, said: “We’re really grateful for Maureen and Douglas’s support, and we hope lots of people will be inspired to follow in their footsteps.

“Taking part in Walk All Over Cancer is a great way to help Cancer Research UK – and keep your hound happy with lots of extra time together.

“Based on the average person’s strides, 10,000 steps is equal to about five miles, which is quite a challenge for many people. But adopting small changes that you can stick too – from walking to work or taking the stairs instead of the lift – will help make the goal feel achievable.

“Not only will taking on the challenge help raise money, it has health benefits as well. Moderate exercise can help build stamina, burn calories and keep a healthy body weight, which reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer.

“Walking has many positive effects on both the body and mind. It can help generate a sense of well-being and help people think more creatively.

“Cancer survival has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress – but every step our doctors, nurses and scientists take relies on donations from the public and the tireless fundraising of our supporters.

“There are over 200 types of cancer and we need continued investment in research to help us find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat them. That’s why we need people to step up to the challenge and Walk All Over Cancer.”

To sign up and receive a fundraising pack see www.cruk.org/walkallover