The aim of the Big Summer Roam challenge is to ensure accessibility to all, so you’re free to complete your miles however and wherever you’d like. That could be a treadmill, walks on lunch breaks, or on your summer holiday! And if you want to challenge yourself to go further then we’ll be here to support you. It is always worth scouting out your route in advance to make sure there are no issues, for example private land or unsuitable surfacing. Make sure you have appropriate footwear for your walk and dress for the weather, the rest is up to you.
Of course, you can complete your miles whatever way suits you, for example on a mobility scooter. We want to make sure everyone can get involved in this event, regardless of your abilities.
Registrations are open now for the 2024 Big Summer Roam and will close on 28 August 2024.
You can select one of our set challenge distances below, or you can choose your own distance. The choice is yours!
• 15 miles
• 50 miles
• 100 miles
You can choose to complete your miles at any time and across any number of days throughout the month of August. Whatever works for you works for us.
Of course! You can do your walk whenever you like. However, if you can, we'd suggest joining in during August when many fellow challengers will be stepping out and completing their miles. That way, we can ensure to send you the right information to make the most of your challenge and fundraising for the cats.
No, you can complete your miles at any time over any number of sessions throughout August.
There are lots of apps you can use to track your distance but we recommend Strava. Alternatively, you can map out your route in advance or after your walk and record the distance. You can also keep track of your miles using the downloadable mile tracker which you will find in your registration confirmation email. If you have any questions about tracking your miles, please contact the Events team at events@cats.org.uk or call 01825 741 960.
We want the challenge to be open to everyone, so do whatever you can. You know yourself better than anyone, so please don’t push yourself to complete the challenge if this falls beyond your limits.
You don’t need to provide screenshots of your distance or route as evidence, but if you’re keen to share this with us we’d love to see where you wandered! Feel free to share your Big Summer Roam journey with us by emailing us at events@cats.org.uk or by posting in our Team Cats Facebook group.
Of course! All ages are welcome. However, if you are under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must register for the Big Summer Roam on your behalf and anyone under the age of 18 participating in the Big Summer Roam should complete their challenge accompanied by a responsible adult agreed by their parent or guardian. Please ensure that the distance you choose to complete through this challenge is appropriate for you or your child’s age and ability.
No, sorry. To join the Facebook group, you need to be over 18.
Do not undertake this challenge if you have any concerns about your health and wellbeing without consulting a doctor. This is a physical challenge and should not be undertaken lightly.
You’ll feel amazing inside and out as you accomplish your Big Summer Roam. Knowing that your miles are creating a better life for cats across the UK will add that extra spring to your step and motivate you to reach your distance goal.
No, but we would be incredibly grateful if you chose to raise additional funds for us. Your £20 signup fee will go a long way to support our work, but by getting sponsored for your challenge you could have an even greater impact on the cats that need our help.
When you register for the Big Summer Roam, we will share with you a link to JustGiving where you can set up your own challenge JustGiving page.
This happens automatically, you don’t need to do anything.
We’d prefer you raise the money through JustGiving but if that doesn’t work for you we would suggest Enthuse.
Unfortunately not, but rest assured that all the money donated on both pages will go to Cats Protection. Alternatively, you can expire one of your pages and then just keep sharing the remaining page.
Yes, you can download a sponsorship form. A link to the downloadable sponsorship form will also be included in the registration confirmation email sent to you once you’ve signed up for the Big Summer Roam. Once completed, please send your sponsorship form to ‘Freepost Cats Protection’ and write ‘Big Summer Roam’ on the back of the envelope.
1) Once you have set up your fundraising page, personalise it with your own pictures and explain why you’re taking part then share your page on your social media channels.
2) You could make a personal donation to your page. This helps get the ball rolling for friends and family to donate too.
3) Share your progress. Let people know when you’ve completed different milestones and keep them updated with how you’re finding the challenge. Be sure to do this when you’ve completed your challenge too. Some people will only donate at the end so don’t let them forget!
Any donations received outside of your JustGiving fundraising page can be logged as an offline donation. Log in to your fundraising page and click ‘Add an offline donation’. There are a few ways you can then pay in any offline donations to us; on our website, by cheque or over the phone.
While you don't have to provide your miles, it's always nice to show your supports your progress. You can link your JustGiving fundraising page to your Strava account so your supporters can see how you’re getting on with your challenge by following the steps outlined here.
Sharing screenshots from Strava or other tracking apps on your social media pages is another great way of keeping your supporters in the loop.
As this is a ‘virtual walk’ which will be done in your own time and on your own routes, we do not have to pass on the huge costs associated with on-site events and all distances can be priced equally. The money from your signup fee will go towards improving the lives of cats and kittens across the UK.
While we don’t have Big Summer Roam challenge t-shirts available to purchase, you can buy Cats Protection apparel, including t-shirts, here, to sport alongside your Cats Protection bottle while you roam.
Your bottle will arrive within 10 working days of registration.
If your bottle hasn’t arrived within 10 working days of signing up, please contact the Events team at events@cats.org.uk or call 01825 741 960.
If you find there is an issue with your bottle on arrival, please contact the Events team at events@cats.org.uk and include a picture of your bottle showing the fault, or call 01825 741 960.
The bottles are made from soda lime glass and come with a Cats Protection branded removable neoprene sleeve.
The bottle is available in one colour (clear glass, purple neoprene sleeve).
No. The bottles can be used for cold or room temperature water and are not suitable for storing carbonated or hot liquids. The bottles can’t withstand sudden temperature changes, for example washing with hot water.
At Cats Protection we stand up for every cat. At the forefront of research on cat welfare we use our decades of experience to help all cats and support owners to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our campaigns change laws to give cats more protection and we continue to call for a better deal for cats. In every corner of the country our passionate volunteers, employees and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them. You can find out more about our work here
If you have any comments, questions or queries, please contact our Events team at events@cats.org.uk or on 01825 741 960.