Join the walk on 9 February to help raise £5,000 for a new guide dog in Ian’s name.
Dragons’ Den winner and dedicated Guide Dogs UK volunteer Gemma Fairhurst is rallying dog lovers across the UK to join a charity dog walk in Blackpool as a heartfelt tribute to her beloved guide dog, Ian, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
On 9 February at 2pm, Blackpool’s North Pier will welcome dog owners, animal lovers and supporters for a 5,000-step walk to raise £5,000, ensuring Ian’s legacy continues through the naming of a future guide dog.
Ian, a retired Labrador-Retriever guide dog, played a pivotal role in Gemma’s personal and professional journey. When she appeared on BBC’s Dragons’ Den in 2024, pitching her quirky edible dog card business, Scoff Paper, she shared Ian’s incredible story, winning over Sara Davies, who invested £50,000 into the brand.
Gemma’s journey with Ian began during a life-changing moment. She suffered a massive heart attack while working in a high-pressure job and woke up in hospital with a pacemaker. Searching for purpose, she became a Guide Dogs UK volunteer, never expecting to meet a puppy that would change her life forever.
After spending his first 18 months with Gemma, Ian went on to qualify as a fully working guide dog and was matched with Blackpool local Mark Fielding, who has been Ian’s devoted owner ever since.
For nearly ten years, Mark and Gemma stayed in touch and Ian remained a huge part of both their lives. The plan was always for Ian to retire with Gemma and her family, including her husband Matthew and young son Max.
But fate had other plans. On Christmas Eve 2024, Ian was diagnosed with an aggressive, untreatable cancer, meaning he had just months left.
Determined to honour Ian’s impact, Gemma and Mark have organised the ‘Walking with Ian’ charity dog walk to raise £5,000 to name a future guide dog after Ian, ensuring his spirit continues to help others.
How to get Involved
The event welcomes everyone, whether they bring a dog or not.
Date: 9 February 2025
Location: Outside North Pier, across from Blackpool Tower
All dogs, walkers and non-walkers welcome.
Ian will be there, riding in his ‘royal carriage’, ensuring he can still be part of the event.
How You Can Help
Join the walk and spread the word
Donate to the cause via the GoFundMe page: Walking with Ian
Share the story on social media using #WalkingWithIan
“I know this is short notice,” says Gemma, “but Ian doesn’t have long left. Every share, donation and step taken in his honour means the world to us.”
For further information, contact Gemma at hello@scoffpaper.com
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Jo Abraham
Dan Everett