Jilly’s Jolly Jaunt

By Kerry Rushby of the UK

Photos courtesy of Dan Kyprianou

What started as an idea in Gavin Robertson’s head a few weeks after winning BIS at Crufts snowballed into something that will be remembered by so many within the world of pedigree dogs and dog shows for years to come. What started out as a small idea ended as a great fundraiser with Great Ormond St. Children’s Hospital, DOGLOST and the KC Charitable Trust as the main beneficiaries.

Pulled together by a small group in just six weeks and sponsored by a select few companies JILLY’S JOLLY JAUNT (JJJ) began on Monday 10th June at the NEC in Birmingham, England. Marion Spavin officially waved the starting flag and then Gavin, along with Amelia Siddle, Jilly and Flo began their 140 mile trek to London.

Thankfully the weather was kind all week and at each checkpoint Gavin and Amelia were greeted by the next set of walkers and their four legged friends.

EVERY “high profile” breed was represented along with EVERY “vulnerable” breed. ALL 7 of this years CRUFTS group winners were involved, as well as the handlers, owners or breeders of 18 previous Crufts BIS winners.

Throughout the week many other breeds took part with Graham the Toy Poodle – last year’s runner-up top dog – walking at the same time with Jilly – last year’s top dog.

This enterprise caught the imagination of all factions within the pedigree dog world – and all age groups. 9 year-old Ella Gardiner walked her mother’s Miniature Bull Terrier whilst Mary Swash – now in her 70s – turned up with an Airedale.

Many personalities surprised the organisers with their determination. Ken Sinclair managed 5 miles as did Moray Armstrong and Edward Allen, none of them ever having walked anything like that before. Lisa Croft-Elliott did over 5 miles while in a foot cast following an operation just two days before. Melanie Spavin not only completed her section but enjoyed it so much she did the whole day! Geoff Corish was on a mission and did two legs with Michael Coad, as did the Eardley Beagle boys, Tim Jones and Steve Jepson.

With the joys of 3G cell service, communication was easy and walkers were Facebooking and Tweeting along the route, gaining more donations all the while. Clare Balding took time out from her busy schedule to walk with her dog Archie who took it upon himself to have his own bath. A narrow boat owner’s hose was needed at the end to wash him off! Steve Dean, the KC chairman, came along and broke a sweat for 5 miles whilst his Border Terrier enjoyed every second of it.

Gavin says, “It was fantastic to see so many faces turn up to support us each day. Di Johnson, Pat Sutton and Andrew Brace, who had done so much to promote the event, were at our lunch stop on Tuesday with at least 25 others.

Shelia Jakeman was on hand with her car to help out throughout Day One and Marc Abraham, the TV vet, walked around London with us Tweeting as he went. Many local mayors and supporters of DOGLOST had done meet and greet points for refueling and pictures.

The welfare of the dogs was paramount and at the KC launch it was announced that whilst Jilly would walk the lion’s share with Amelia’s Pointer, Flo, they would also be taking kennel mates along to relieve them for sections of the walk, and when Jilly did miss the odd section she was not happy being left out of the limelight … she is a true diva to the end!

Dan Kyp stepped in at the 23rd hour to take photographs through the week and Paul Sparks was our support vehicle driver throughout. Both were invaluable and always where they should be (except the section where Stephen Cox was, so he walked further!)

Charity was what this event was about but a clear message was sent out through the week that not only pedigree dogs are fit for function – Bulldogs, Neapolitans, Mastiffs and Pekes all walking freely and happily – but British dogdom became a unit for a week, making new friends and creating thousands of memories.

Walkers came from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Jersey, Cornwall and all over the country, some coming the night before, others leaving at 3 a.m. for 8 a.m. starts.

Amelia Siddle had done an amazing painting for the event with Jilly, Flo and 6 year-old Oliver Robertson being the subjects. Limited edition prints were produced of this and many have sold already. One of the prints was signed by every single particpant as the week progressed creating a unique memento of the event.

Gavin concludes, “Blister plasters were needed and knee and ankle supports in use come the end of the week, but as we arrived in London’s Hyde Park we were greeted by family and friends and all the aches and pains diminished knowing the end was in site.

The sun appeared as we walked the sights of our capital, and just after 4 p.m. we turned onto Great Ormond Street to be greeted by staff and doctors. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how big and successful JJJ would become, but with a current total raised of just over £32,000 and more still to come. I am the proudest person in dogs today, and so should everyone else be who contributed in some way. None of this would have been possible without the help of all of our sponsors – Royal Canin, Agria Pet Insurance, Lintbells, Dorwest Veterinary, Keep Cool dog coats, Retrieva Tracking, Tesco & Holiday Inn – to which we are so grateful for all of their help and support through the organisation and duration of Jilly’s Jolly Jaunt.”

Jilly’s Jolly Jaunt By The Numbers:

248,348 steps taken between Monday and Friday

584 miles were walked by the dogs

17,917 calories had been burnt through the week

Paul drove 984 miles

11 blisters were treated

6 dogs found themselves in the canal

Over £30,000 has been raised so far

A gallery of photographs can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/dkyprianou/

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=25414

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