Former stray puts best paw forward and fulfils pledge to raise thousands for homeless hounds

A former resident of Dogs Trust Manchester has walked 1,000 miles and raised thousands of pounds to help make sure dogs less fortunate than himself can be cared for this Christmas and beyond.

After being found wandering the streets alone in April 2022, two-year-old Collie Cross, Toby, was taken in by Dogs Trust Manchester in Denton which cares for at least 80 dogs, 365 days of the year.

He was soon to be adopted by dog-lover Kate Badger who felt he could be her ideal walking buddy and having been proved right, they decided to set off on a 1,000 mile adventure to raise as much money as possible for dogs still waiting for their special someone to come along and welcome them into their family.

Ten months later, and just in time for Christmas, Kate and Toby have completed the challenge, clocking up their 1,000^th mile where their story began – at Dog Trust Manchester – and raising £2,185.

Kate, a piano teacher from New Mills in Derbyshire, says: “It has been an absolutely fantastic experience and I am so glad we’ve been able to finish it before Christmas, and at Dogs Trust Manchester where I met Toby.

“When I decided to take on the challenge I quite literally didn’t know where it would take us, but we have had a fantastic time and as Toby grew in confidence, we went on trips further away and took on more adventurous walks, all of which he took in his stride and thoroughly enjoyed himself, as did I. Our bond has grown and grown, and knowing come rain or shine our walks were going to help other rescue dogs, was brilliant.”

From rivers to ravines, moors to mountains and cities to countryside, Toby has taken in the sights and sounds of England, Scotland and Wales to complete his fundraising challenge.

He has travelled as far afield as Loch Lomond in Scotland, enjoyed a summer trip to the Lake District, soaked up the history of Hadrian’s’ Wall, explored the bustling cities of York, Chester and Durham and experienced the delights of Blackpool, as well as enjoying adventures closer to home taking in the hills and moors across Greater Manchester and Derbyshire.

Kate charted their progress on social media so their hundreds of followers could track their progress and the team at Dogs Trust Manchester were thrilled to welcome them to the centre to celebrate their achievement.

Lisa Eardley, Manager at Dogs Trust Manchester in Tameside, says: “It is so wonderful to see how happy Toby is and to also have the opportunity to say thank you to Kate for doing this to help our dogs. It is thanks to the help of our supporters like Kate, and Toby, that we can give our dogs everything they need whilst we care for them. That means the world to us because we want them to be able to live their best lives whilst they are with us waiting to find their forever family, just like Toby has with Kate.

“Toby was found as a stray and is now having the time of his life. That’s what we want for all our dogs and the money Kate and Toby have raised will help us make sure the dogs that are with us this Christmas have a really special time, as well as help us care for them until it’s time for them to head home, however long it takes.”

Kate adds: “I can’t remember life before Toby. He’s amazing and everyone loves him! We have had so many people stop and chat to us whilst we’ve been doing our walks, so we’ve been able to spread the word about the work that Dogs Trust does for dogs in need.

“Toby will have a brilliant Christmas, but knowing we’ve helped other dogs who aren’t yet at the heart of a family, will make our Christmas Day even better.”

You can still support Kate and Toby by going to https://www.justgiving.com/page/toby-1000miles

Or if you would like to buy the Dogs Trust Manchester dogs a Christmas present, you can do so by checking out the rehoming centre’s Amazon Wishlist at www.dogstrust.org.uk where you can also find out more about dogs still waiting to find their forever homes.