A growing community of dog lovers on the Isle of Wight is helping to support vital hospice care, as Dog Owners Guide partners with Mountbatten Isle of Wight to raise awareness and funds throughout the year – including at the Island’s biggest walking event, Walk the Wight.
At the heart of Dog Owners Guide is a simple aim – bringing people together. While the platform helps dog owners discover places to eat, stay and explore, its focus has increasingly turned to community, connection and supporting meaningful local causes.
That commitment is now being channelled into a partnership with Mountbatten, the Isle of Wight’s local hospice.
Mountbatten provides end of life care and support to people across the Island. Their work extends far beyond final days, supporting those living with life-limiting illnesses for months or even years, while also offering bereavement support, counselling and guidance to families.
Earlier this month, Dog Owners Guide hosted its first Dog Walk + Coffee Club on Sunday 19th April, designed as a relaxed social event for dog owners to meet, walk and connect. Participants stopped at PO41 for refreshments, where donations were raised for Mountbatten in exchange for pup cups.
Ashleigh Gibbs, Event Lead for Walk the Wight, has said:
“We were so grateful to see so many people turn up and support the dog walk – it was such a lovely atmosphere and a real joy to be part of.
Article continues below this advertisement “Bringing people (and their dogs) together in this way is a brilliant way to raise awareness of Walk the Wight and the vital work Mountbatten does and to encourage people to get involved in their own way.”
The partnership will continue at Walk the Wight on Sunday 10th May, a flagship Isle of Wight fundraising event covering approximately 26.5 miles from east to west.
Participants can choose shorter routes, making it accessible for a wide range of walkers, including those with dogs. Around 1,000 dogs typically take part each year, weather permitting.
Dog Owners Guide will be present at both Bembridge and Freshwater during the event, offering opportunities for walkers and supporters to engage, donate and take part in fundraising activities.
This will include a dog-themed pic’n’mix, allowing owners to collect treats for their pets in exchange for donations to Mountbatten.
The initiative forms part of a wider plan to host regular meet-ups, walks and community events across the year, all aimed at strengthening connections between dog owners while supporting hospice care on the Isle of Wight.
