RSPCA Million Paws Walk: Geraldton dog lover’s cash total simply grand

Geraldton dog lover Heather Beswick has smashed the $900 target she set out to raise by taking part in the RSPCA’s Million Paws Walk. Ms Beswick and her handsome kelpie Kip walked about 10km a day last month to support the animal welfare organisation’s major annual fundraiser. On May 26, the pair had cracked four figures, and when all was said and done on May 31, the total amount raised stood at $1089. Ms Beswick said she was “absolutely stoked”. “I’d just like to say, from the bottom of myself and Kippie’s hearts, paw-some effort by everybody and thanks for the moral and monetary support — it all matters,” she said. “Everybody’s made a difference to all these animals’ lives and to the RSPCA, who I think do a thankless job in confronting and challenging circumstances.” Eight-year-old Kip was rescued from the Esperance pound at the age of four months. He and Ms Beswick have been inseparable ever since. “We definitely knew his dad was a pure-bred working dog; we were not sure about his mum,” Ms Beswick said. “But everybody I know who’s seen him says ‘yeah, he’s pure-bred kelpie’.” The Million Paws Walk is traditionally held on a single day, but was this year extended to the entire month of May after COVID-19 restrictions prompted the cancellation of mass gatherings. This year’s event raised a nationwide total of $755,239.