Last year, on our very first Winter Willpower Challenge, we raised just under £2,000, which was a fantastic achievement. I was very proud of everyone who took part and suffered! Cheered on by that, and by popular demand, we are running it again this year. So just to go through the rules again:

Each “victim” will have a sponsor sheet and get all friends, relatives, colleagues, neighbours, innocent bystanders and loiterers to sponsor him/her to demonstrate Winter Willpower for one calendar month - November, December, January or February, then collect in the money during the first week of March.

Remember, it can be anything you like, as long as willpower is involved. Something you give up or deny yourself: chocolate, booze, coffee, smoking, saunas, cake, sugar in your tea. Or a one-off task done during that month: painting the back bedroom, cleaning out the loft/garage, clearing the wardrobe of all those clothes and shipping them off to a charity shop. Or it might be some new activity you embark on and continue for at least a month: keep fit, swimming, reading War and Peace, dieting, learning Italian, starting driving lessons.

It’s your choice, but it must involve willpower. And the money will help all those lovely hounds.

So far, I know about two brave challengers: Lois Butler, aged 14, is giving up her favourite website in January, so she is collecting sponsors now. Good luck Lois! And Linda Slough, who gave up coffee last year, has taken on a challenge this year – which she describes below. Congratulations and well done to Linda, her friend Margaret and of course, the lovely Queenie.

How and Where
Money to be collected in first week of March (or thereabouts) and cheques can be either: sent to Ania – address in newsletter. Or given to Sandra (treasurer) or Denise at the Kennels.
Please keep me up to date with your suffering. Email me at victoriakingston@aol.com.
Good luck with our second Winter Willpower Challenge. Last year £2,000. We can do even better this year.
Victoria

 

Walking along the Towpath
My Winter Willpower Challenge
Linda Slough

I am a big fan of Winter Willpower Challenge because it’s a way of earning money for the greyhounds at a time of year when nothing else is happening. Last year I gave up coffee – but this year I decided to do something rather than give something up. A walk along the towpath – yes, why not! Go into pubs and collect money in a bucket. Get friends to sponsor me – so a double whammy of fundraising. It was perfect.
Once again, I roped in my lifelong friend Margaret (who doesn’t have a dog but has done so much for WGW) and of course, my beloved Queenie. I made her a coat that said Wimbledon Greyhound Welfare, and slipped over her normal coat. Running stitch, if you don’t mind. I felt very proud of it, but wondered if it would withstand the heavy rain. Oh Nerys, where are you and your sewing machine when I need you most?
We were dropped off in Staines by Leigh, a friend who was volunteered for the job. I coated Queenie up as it was tipping it down with rain. We made our way to the towpath and got very wet in a short time, though Queenie was very happily walking along regardless of the weather. We were clutching our flyers and bucket – and a walking stick. We felt we looked the part.
We had a few adventures. We met a family and had a good chat about the plight of greyhounds and the great work done at Hersham. By the time we got to Pentonhook Lock, the rain had stopped and we were drying out. Time for a pit stop. Marg and I had a Mars bar (each) and Queenie had some gravy bones. On to the Kingfisher pub, where we did some collecting with the landlord’s permission. Margaret had a Guinness and I virtuously had coffee. Queenie had water and more gravy bones. It was a good opportunity to talk to people about the hounds and the work done at the kennels.
Like the fearless explorers we were, we crossed over Chertsey Bridge and headed for Thames Court pub in Shepperton. We met a couple with two chocolate labradors that Queenie said hello to. As predicted, she was quite a draw with the crowd. As we approached some house boats, a lady came out with a bag of coins to put in the collection box. We thought that was so kind. We arrived at Thames Court at about 1.45, chatted to the landlord and did the collection. Eveyone was very friendly - well most of them!!
Our lift home, Victoria and David arrived. They did a photoshoot which Queenie found a bit boring, but she allowed herself to be snapped. David bought us all a most welcome glass of mulled wine. That soon warmed us up. Queenie had a lie-down in David’s car – she was by now ready for home.
We four humans and Queenie had teacakes and coffee at my place and then everyone left and I had beans on toast. Sometime during the evening, Queenie woke up and started throwing her toys around the sitting room. One nearly landed in my supper. Do you mind, I said! Some of us are worn out and looking forward to a hot bath. Or rather a shower. With the events of the day, and my poor bones, I knew if I once sank into the bath, I would never get out again.
You know, it was a most enjoyable day. We walked an amazing five and a half miles – not bad for ladies of a certain age! I would recommend this walk as a fundraising activity - especially in better weather. In sponsorship money, I’ve so far raised £243 but more is still coming in; in the collection bucket, we got £70. So there’s a sense of achievement as well as a memory of a great day. Of course, Queenie is telling everyone that it’s all down to her and that she is the star. And I think she’s right.