The 2000 squats in May for Dogs Trust is a home squat challenge in aid of Dogs Trust! Dog lovers who sign up will aim to do 2000 squats in May. Everyone who signs up will be sent a t-shirt which says ‘I’m doing 2000 squats for Dogs Trust'. We ask for dog lovers taking part to set up a Facebook fundraiser so they can ask their friends and family to sponsor their challenge. Everyone taking part can join the Facebook group to share photos and updates of their progress

No, the great thing about this squat challenge is that you can spread the 2,000 squats throughout the month of May. We will send a recommended daily plan to work your strength up. For example, starting with 50 a day and working your way and strength up. We also include rest days in the plan.

No, you can start early or finish late if you have other commitments or just need more time.

In the interest of health and safety of you and your dog(s), we advise you do not involve your dog.

Of course, everyone taking part will be at different levels of experience of squatting. We have teamed up with the wonderful guys at Umbrella Wellness to show  you how to squat, how to do it safely and how best to warm up :)

Laura & George From Umbrella Wellness, are an Irish Workplace Wellness Company that provide companies, schools and hospitals all over Ireland with an Online wellness programme for employees (Yoga, HIIT, meditation, Nutrition Financial Wellness, guest speakers. Check out https://www.instagram.com/umbrellawellness.ie  www.umbrellawellness.ie  

Of course, everyone taking part will be at different levels of experience of squatting. We have teamed up with the wonderful guys at Umbrella Wellness to show  you how to squat, how to do it safely and how best to warm up :)
Laura & George From Umbrella Wellness, are an Irish Workplace Wellness Company that provide companies, schools and hospitals all over Ireland with an Online wellness programme for employees (Yoga, HIIT, meditation, Nutrition Financial Wellness, guest speakers. Check out https://www.instagram.com/umbrellawellness.ie  www.umbrellawellness.ie  

We will send you a guide with a daily plan to follow – you can keep track of how far along you are on this by filling it out and taking a picture to share on your Facebook fundraising page. Or use the digital version below:

No, you do not need to provide video or picture evidence of you doing your 2,000 squats :) You can just update on your fundraiser with how many squats you have done. So for example you could say:
- I have reached 100/3000 squats today!
- Or share a picture of the below tracker with a sticker or mark to show how far along you are:

You'll find stickers to share your progress with your supporters HERE.

Post pictures and updates on your Facebook Fundraising page with your daily or weekly squats so we can see you’ve completed the challenge. It is also a great way to show your friends and family who have sponsored you that you’re committed!  You do not need to post your videos or pictures of every single squat  - a note about the number of squats achieved is perfect! Or share a photo of your squat tracker.  

Everyone who completes the challenge will be sent a certificate of completion.   So, make sure to update your Facebook Fundraiser with your progress and so we can see you've completed the challenge.

 If you are very experienced (i.e. a fitness teacher etc) and think you have up the target of 2,000, that is fine. Just make sure to not push yourself too hard and end up injuring yourself.

A Dogs Trust 2000 squats t-shirt. - A sponsorship card if you asked for one. - An information booklet with tips, FAQ’s and a daily squat tracker guide!

Visit: https://www.facebook.com/fund/DogsTrustIrelandOnline/ and wait for the pop-up to set up a page. Be sure to add 2,000 squats in May to your Fundraising page title and set the end date to June 3rd. Sometimes this link doesn't work when outside of Facebook. If it doesn't, please pop back into the Facebook group and click the link in the pinned post to set a fundraiser up.

It is usually visible on your Facebook page. If you are on your mobile, open the Facebook app, click the bottom right hand corner and then 'fundraisers'. Or simply visit: https://www.facebook.com/fundraisers/manage

This is a quirk of Facebook Fundraising pages. They are automatically set to run for just 15 days! You need to manually change the date to June 3rd. Here’s how to do that: To edit your end date click: - https://www.facebook.com/fundraisers/manage - Click on your fundraiser.- Click 'edit'- Click 'end date' and select June 3rd. - Then make sure to click 'save' on the top right hand corner.

This is a quirk of Facebook Fundraising pages. They are automatically set to run for just 15 days! Unless you edit the end date, it will automatically end. Unfortunately, the only way around this is to set up a new fundraising page so make sure to edit your end date as above.

If you are fundraising via  Facebook fundraising page, please see our Facebook fundraising guide here. Thank you for your support!

Taking part in events such as the 2000 squats in May Challenge, raises vital funds which help stray and abandoned dogs across Ireland. Since opening our Rehoming Centre in 2009, dog lovers like you have rescued and rehomed over 20,000 dogs. We rely on public support to fund our work and we are entirely reliant on the generosity of amazing people like you to continue our life-saving work.

Every single donation raised provides each dog that comes into our care with nutritious food, veterinary treatment, a microchip, neutering, vaccinations and most importantly, love and cuddles from our Canine Carers and a Forever Home.

If you or if you have a friend or family member who wants to take part but is not on Facebook that is no problem at all. Fill out this registration form here.

They can request a sponsorship card on the form above, make a donation or set up an online fundraiser on Just Giving. 

Unfortunately Dogs Trust can’t issue refunds, Facebook must do this. People can request a refund themselves from Facebook by following the below steps: Send them this link: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/162031714239823 Select - I donated to a fundraiser on Facebook Select - I want a refund for my donation(s) Select - I made a donation by accident. Find their donation in the dropdown and request the refund.

For health and safety reasons, the squat challenge is just open for adults over the age of 18.

Unfortunately only people with a Facebook profile can make a donation on Facebook.

They can give you the cash or transfer you the funds (via Revolut, PayPalMe, Online Banking etc) and you can add the donation to your fundraiser yourself.

They can donate directly to Dogs Trust here: https://www.dogstrust.ie/whats-happening/latest-appeal/squat-challenge-donation