Lauren Jones

I’m running the 2026 Great Manchester Half Marathon Run for Dogs Trust!

In October 2025 I completed my first half marathon. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I crossed the finish line. For the first time in a long time I felt like I'd achieved something, and I'd needed to overcome a lot of mental and physical challenges to get to that point.

With only 8 weeks to train, here I am about to run another one...

One of the things that has helped my mental health the most has been spending time with animals, particularly dogs. It's often been joked that I prefer dogs to people!

Last year, I began volunteering as a Canine Assistant at one of the Dogs Trust centres.

I assist the staff with various tasks to help keep the resident dogs healthy and happy while they wait for their new homes.

Although I go there to help the dogs, they'll never know how much they actually help me. My anxiety melts away and my headspace improves within minutes of being there. It truly is my happy place, and I look forward to going back every week.

And it's not just the dogs that are wonderful! Every single member of staff that I've had the pleasure of learning from and working alongside are simply marvellous and they work tirelessly to give all dogs a better life.

Since starting my volunteering journey, the staff at Dogs Trust have been nothing but welcoming, kind, patient, supportive, and encouraging. It feels like a family unit. They don't know it, but they have helped to build my confidence. I'm very grateful for the opportunity I have to be a part of the work they do, whether it's being involved with their daily tasks or supporting them at special events.

I want to do even more to support them, and all the dogs in need, so I am running the Great Manchester Half Marathon to raise sponsorship money.

The aim of Dogs Trust is to give stray and abandoned dogs a second chance at a brighter future with responsible, caring new owners.

Last year, they cared for 11,707 dogs across the UK and Ireland, rehomed 9,914 dogs, and helped deliver nearly one million meals to dogs through Fareshare food banks.

Your support helps Dogs Trust continue this vital work, especially as the cost of living crisis adds increased pressures for dog owners.

By sponsoring me, you'll be making a massive difference to dogs in need.

Here are some ways your sponsorship money could help:

• £1-5 could pay for a range of treats for a rehoming centre which are vital in training dogs for their forever homes.

• £25 could help provide a cosy winter coat to keep rescued dogs feeling safe.

• £34 could help abandoned dogs receive urgent vet checks and treatment after arriving into care.

• £64 could cover the cost of caring for one dog for one day at one of the rehoming centres.

• £100 could support urgent veterinary care for a heavily pregnant dog.

• £1,000 could pay for one puppy who has been smuggled illegally into the country, to be rescued, quarantined and rehomed.

As well as supporting the dogs in care, your donations could also support other projects, such as free food for dogs via local food banks, vet care for dogs that live with their homeless owners, and reduced-cost training & behaviour services for dogs and their owners.

The work of Dogs Trust is only possible with donations like yours.

If you’re able to make a small contribution, I know the Trust and myself would be incredibly grateful - and so would the dogs!

Thank you very much,

Lauren x