Want to be part of the Olympic excitement this summer? Cats Protection needs you to run, walk, swim or ride your way through your own sporting challenge on behalf of the UK’s unwanted cats and kittens.
Registration is now open for the Gold Challenge, in partnership with the British Olympic Association – participants can choose to raise vital funds for Cats Protection. Teams and individuals can take part by covering their chosen distance in one of ten Olympic sports. Participants are encouraged to complete the challenge before the Olympic Games begin on 27 July 2012, but have until 31 December 2012 to finish. To get started, download a Cats Protection Gold Challenge registration form at www.cats.org.uk/get-involved/events/challenge-events
Natasha Hodges, Cats Protection’s Challenge Events Administrator, said: “Team GB will be giving it their all at the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics – if that inspires you, then get involved in the Gold Challenge for us. You can take part if you’re looking for something relatively easy or want to do something particularly adventurous. Not only will you keep fit and have a great time being a part of the Olympic celebrations, but your efforts will enable us to improve the lives of many more unwanted cats and kittens across the UK. Registration is now open, so let the challenge begin!”
To complete the Gold Challenge:
Choose a distance of 20.12km, 201.2km or 2012km. Individuals or teams (as an aggregated total) must cover their chosen distance via one or more of the following Olympic sports:
- Running (jogging, road-running, on a treadmill or on a track)
- Walking (on a treadmill, on a track, rambling or hill-walking)
- Cycling (in a gym, on a track, on the roads or off-road)
- Swimming (in a pool or in open water)
- Canoeing/Kayaking (inland or offshore)
- Horse riding
- Rowing (on a rowing machine or on water)
- Sailing (inland or offshore)
- Windsurfing (inland and offshore)
- Wheelchair (track, road or in a gym)
Once registered, participants can keep track of their progress via an online totaliser throughout the duration of the challenge, and can choose to raise money for their local Cats Protection branch or for Cats Protection nationally. Once a place is confirmed, participants will receive a fundraising pack, help in creating a JustGiving page, sponsorship forms and an official Cats Protection sports vest.
Cats Protection is the UK's leading feline welfare charity helping more than 230,000 cats and kittens every year through its network of over 250 volunteer-run branches and 30 adoption centres. The charity also promotes cat care and the neutering of cats to prevent unwanted kittens.
Further information about Cats Protection, including information on more fundraising events this year, can be found at
www.cats.org.uk/get-involved
Ends
For media enquiries please contact Kerry Law, on behalf of Cats Protection Media Office, via
kerryamberlaw@aol.com or
07535 408 764
Notes to editors:
1. Cats Protection’s registered charity number is 203644 (England and Wales) and SCO37711 (Scotland).
2. The charity’s vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.
3. Founded as the Cats Protection League in 1927, the charity adopted the name Cats Protection in 1998. We ask that you use the name Cats Protection when referring to the charity in all published material.