DOG owners are being sought to take part in a walking wonder of a fundraiser for cancer treatment.

The Best Paw Forward, now in its second year, is being held at Coate Water lake on Sunday, July 12 and is raising money for charity Cancer Research UK, with organisers wishing to welcome lots of pooches and their owners to take part.

It costs £10 to enter a dog with owners able to enter for free.

Nicki Horn, vice chairman of the Swindon Volunteer Group, who is organising the event, said: “We’ve already had several registrations from people who took part last year but we’d like to welcome even more with dogs of all shapes and sizes welcome to join.

“As a committee, we are right behind research into cancer treatments as we all know people who have been affected by the condition and how it impacts on their lives.”

The event last year raised £2,300 for charity and the organisers aim to collect an impressive sum this time around as well.

Nicki said: “We got a target of around £3,000 but we just want to raise as much as we possibly can and appreciate all the support we receive from the public.”

The walk will start at 11am, taking between an estimated 45 minutes to an hour to complete. Registration, in advance, can be done online or on the day at 10.15am.

Each dog taking part will be entered into a draw with top prize being a pet portrait being created of the animal.

Every registered dog will receive a commemorative bandana and a bag of tasty treats. Entrants are also being encouraged to do their own fundraising in aid of the charity.

There is a full programme of events lined up for Best Paw Forward with a number of stalls and attractions lined up.

On Sunday, organisers of the doggy walk will be at Coate Water at 11am to launch this year’s festivities and speak to the public about taking part.

Cancer Research UK funds over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses who are working towards developing new ways to care for those with the condition. They are the largest charitable funder of cancer research in the world, supporting nearly half of the UK’s cancer research and the only one to research all 200 types of cancer.

To register, visit tinyurl.com/lv3tv3x or, for details, call Sarah Blackmore-Heal on 07973 391894 or email swindoncrukgroup@hotmail.co.uk.