West End star Jodie Prenger joins us at St Mungo's for Hope Project

West End star and Dogs Trust supporter, Jodie Prenger, visited a St Mungo’s hostel this week to hand out the first of 850 Dogs Trust Christmas Hampers being given to the dogs of homeless people and those in temporary accommodation across the UK. Receiving one of the hampers today was Sam the Samoyed, belonging to Michael Lyon, a current resident at a St Mungo’s hostel in Covent Garden.

These were the very same hampers that over 1,000 volunteers helped to stock with hand-knitted dog coats, so we're pleased to be able to show you all just how your hard work is being put to good use.  We now know that we received over 3,000 coats, which ranged in size from Chihuahua to Great Dane. They've been included in the special hampers with a variety of essentials such as new leads, collars, treats and toys, some of which were also bought by Dogs Trust supporters through an online wish list.

Jodie, who kindly also tweeted about her visit, said:

“As a dog lover myself, I am delighted to deliver the first of the 850 Dogs Trust Christmas Hampers. Homeless people love their dogs and many would rather go without to be able to feed their best friend, so these goodies will be well received and ensure that the dogs get everything they need to stay warm and happy over the winter months.”

Hampers for dogs whose owners are homeless or living in temporary accommodation have been distributed for the last 11 years as part of our ongoing Hope Project. As well as the hampers, the project offers subsidised veterinary treatments and encourages homelessness hostels and day centres to accept clients with dogs as well as helping them put in place practical guidelines. Often homeless people choose to stay with their dog on the streets if a hostel doesn’t allow dogs to stay as well.

St Mungo’s is one of the few charities that allows homeless men and women to keep their pets with them in its hostels.

Homelessness organisations or veterinary surgeries interested in finding out more information about the Hope Project should call Dogs Trust on 020 7837 0006 or email us.

Eager dog walkers needed for St. Mungo's charity walk

We've received the following message from the lovely folks at St. Mungo's. Although they're not an animal charity, they are seeking dog walkers for their latest fundraising drive and asked us if we could help spread the word. Only too happy to do so! And in case you're wondering what Dogs Trust has to do with homelessness, do read more about our Hope Project.

The release is as follows:

Put on your walking shoes, switch off the World Cup coverage and hit the streets with your canine companion on Sunday 20 June to help St Mungo's support homeless people on their journey back into work.

To kick start its Action Week (20-27 June), St Mungo's is asking people to step up and take part in a five mile Action Week Walk.

The theme of this year's Action Week is Just the Job - supporting homeless people's journey back to work.

This is the charity's third annual sponsored walk but the first time it will head into the City of London. The walk starts and finishes at St John's Church in Waterloo, where St Mungo's homeless volunteers help tend the church gardens. The route then links in with other areas where St Mungo's provides homelessness services in Southwark, Lambeth and Westminster.

Last year more than 160 people joined in our Action Week Walk to support our campaign to improve the mental health of homeless people. Not only did we raise £15,000, but we also made the Government take action by including homeless people in their new strategy for improving mental health services to people in the UK.

This year the charity is hoping for 300 people to sign up and boost funds for its Pathways to Employment programme which supports activities, education, training and work opportunities for St Mungo's hostel residents.

Tanya English, Executive Director for Fundraising and Communications, said:

"Only 4% of our residents are currently working. Some of our clients have not worked in a decade, and others not at all.

"The money raised by generous supporters and donors on this year's walk will go towards supporting St Mungo's clients on their journey of recovery and into work. By taking part in this Action Week Walk, you are actively helping someone to walk away from their old life and towards a new one.

"It's also Father's Day so perhaps an opportunity to get dad away from the World Cup for a while to do something active in a worthy cause!"

How you can show your support for Action Week:

• Sign up for the St Mungo's 2010 Action Week Walk. Registration is £12 in advance or £15 on the day, under 16s (and dogs!) walk for free. A free T-shirt is provided, as well as a lunch pack when you finish, kindly donated by Pret a Manger

• Sponsor St Mungo's resident Jamie and his dog to do the walk

• Show your support by shopping at the St Mungo's online gift shop

• Find out more about St Mungo's Just the Job Action Week 2010, other events and ways to show your support.