DOG owners across Wales are currently getting muddy for money with Wales Air Ambulance’s first-ever HeliPaws fundraiser and turning their daily walk into a lifesaving mission.

Are you feeling the January blues? If so, HeliPaws might be a great way to get out and about whilst exercising and raising money for a great cause. Owners, family and friends are walking their dogs either 25, 50 or 75 miles during the month as part of the Helipaws challenge.

There’s still time to sign up for the dog walking challenge is in support of the Charity, which needs to raise £13 million every year to help keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road.

If you’re up for getting muddy for money, you can sign up for free via the Charity’s website.

You can enter HeliPaws for free - or kickstart your fundraising with £10 and you’ll receive a ‘pawsome’ pack, which includes a beanie for you, a bandana for your dog, and a ‘Walkies of Shame’ card! With the walkies report card, you can share the highs (and the lows) of this month’s weather.

If you reach the £200 or more fundraising target, you will receive a HeliPaws green hoodie to wear with pride and celebrate your achievement.

Laura Coyne, Wales Air Ambulance Fundraising Operations Manager, said: “HeliPaws is an exciting opportunity to get fit, whilst spending precious time with your four-legged friend. It’s not too late to sign up for a lifesaving mission. Why not change your daily walk into ‘mission walkies’ and help save lives.

“The Wales Air Ambulance Charity needs to raise a significant amount of money every year to enable us to continue to be there for you when you need us most. By taking part with your dog, you will be helping to save lives across our country, which is incredible.

“Helipaws is all about having fun by getting muddy outside with your dog, family and friends. Thank you to all the dog walkers out there already taking on this challenge, we have loved seeing your muddy paws pictures. To all the dog lovers out there, who haven’t signed up, you’re already walking, now make it lifesaving and support us. HeliPaws is aimed at all ages. We would love you to turn our fundraiser into your challenge.”

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. It is delivered via a unique third-sector and public-sector partnership.

The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.

This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.

As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency critical care.