James' Sponsored Dog Walk 2024

Hi, I am James and I am 11 years old. I live in Waterfoot with my Mummy, Daddy and big brother Billy. I go to Tor View school and am a very sociable character.

I have Downs syndrome and Autism, are non-verbal and I let nothing get in my way!

For the last two years I have done a sponsored walk to raise funds for my local community radio station, Rossendale Radio, who rely on community funding as a not for profit enterprise. Their monthly bills are A LOT of money and without support from the community they would not exist.

This year, I thought I would add a twist and instead of just doing a sponsored walk I am doing a sponsored DOG walk with my five favourite furry friends of the Doggo variety; They are called Bella, Daisy, Archie, Bella and Phoebe ( there are 2 Bellas) I will have some help with them all from their humans, don't worry and I have added some pictures of their gorgeous furry faces on this post. I can't wait as I love animals, especially dogs.

I am doing my walk on Saturday 24th August as last year it was in October and it had to be postponed due to the cold weather, so this time we are doing it in summer. Our walk will start from the centre of Waterfoot and as always, will finish at The Buffer stops at East Lancashire Railway in Rawtenstall (My favourite place) where we can all have a celebratory drink and a packet of crisps.

If you would like to join us on the day with your dog (as long as it will be okay with me stroking it as I have no understanding of danger and will approach any animal) then you are more than welcome to come along.

Just watch out for us on the main bacup road, we will be setting off at 11am from Waterfoot centre.

So please help me to succeed and smash my target, any help, big or small will be very appreciated and I will send you a special thank you e-mail via Just giving in return. I really want to help my favourite radio station.

(Give them a listen, they are on air 24 hours a day on 104.7fm local or via smart speaker by asking it to play Rossendale Radio)

The Director of Rossendale Radio will be with me on the day and will be doing plenty of facebook live videos so you can see me go!

In advance, I would like to say a huge thank you for your support, my family, teachers, school pals and the Rossendale Radio team are going to be very happy and proud of my achievement and I promise to do you all proud too.

I hope to see you all on my adventure.

Lots of Love from James.