Animal charity Pet Blood Bank UK is asking pet lovers across the UK to join their virtual fundraising challenge to help save more lives. The challenge, Around the Coast in 30 Days, asks people to walk, run, swim, or cycle, as many miles as they can to reach a collective target of 11,232 miles – the length of the UK mainland coastline.
Starting on Monday 1 May, the virtual challenge begins and ends at the blood bank in Loughborough and aims to raise £10,000. The coastline was chosen to represent the vast distance that the charity travels every year to collect and distribute lifesaving blood for dogs.
Operating very similarly to the human blood service, Pet Blood Bank collects blood donations from which then goes towards helping to save the lives of other dogs in need. Every donation a dog gives can help to save the lives of up to four other dogs. All dogs across the UK have access to the lifesaving blood should they ever need it, so it really is a vital service.
Pet Blood Bank is urging pet owners and lovers to join them on this huge challenge to help support the lifesaving blood bank service. You can participate as a team or as an individual, either way every mile you do will count towards the collective 11,232 mile target as the charity races to complete the challenge in just 30 days.
The funds raised from the challenge will help to save the lives of pets across the country by supporting the blood bank. They will also allow the charity to invest for the future through vital research and education as well as continue to do things like provide free blood for veterinary charities and subsidise the cost of blood.