Petsavers 10K Team Break Previous Records

The 2006 Petsavers 10K Team hopes to raise a fantastic £15,000 from this year’s event exceeding expectations and funds raised in previous years. A record 63 Petsavers runners took to the streets of London on Sunday 2nd July to run 10 kilometres [6.2 miles] to raise funds for the charity that funds studies into the diagnosis and treatment of pet diseases and training programmes aimed at advancing vets’ skills so that pets can enjoy longer and healthier lives. The Team comprised individual vets and nurses, groups from veterinary practices including a 6-strong team from the Quantock Veterinary Hospital in Somerset, as well as those not in the profession but keen to raise funds for the benefit of pets through this event. This is the third year that Petsavers has entered a team into the British 10K run held annually in London and as a result has raised sufficient funds to fund a Petsavers Training Programme [Scholarship] in 2007. Petsavers training programmes develop the skills of vets so that they can apply the results of clinical studies and their expertise to pets as soon as possible. These vets are referred to as Petsavers Scholars. In 2007 the Petsavers 10K scholarship will be awarded in the area of either ophthalmology, pharmacology and toxicology, reproduction or welfare ethics and law. Nicolette Thomas Petsavers Fundraising Manager [far left] with some of the Team before the race. The race was won in a time of 29 minutes 52 seconds but the sweltering July heat meant Petsavers team members needed to take it easy. Even so a number of Petsavers runners crossed the finish line in under 50 minutes, including the Team’s fastest runner Gerry Polton of Davies Veterinary Specialists in Hertfordshire at 45 minutes 33 seconds and first time participant and vet John Wakeley from Bedford who “enjoyed the experience and took just 49 minutes dodging human traffic.” Top fundraiser, raising over £1,200 for Petsavers from this event, vet Mike Clark from Yorkshire Vets in Bradford. It is traditional for Petsavers supporters to set up banners and balloons along the Embankment an ideal spot to cheer the runners on as they set out and again as they approach the finish. As usual the yellow team vests worn by all the runners made them stand out amongst the 20,000 participants. This year the Team supporters were joined by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association [BSAVA] President Mike Jessop who helped spot the runners approaching and offered a welcome “come on Petsavers!” as they passed by. To join the 2007 Petsavers 10K Team or to find out more about the work of Petsavers call Nicolette on 01452 726 723 or e-mail [email protected]. Read the first part of this story here

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