Nearly a year of fundraising has generated a staggering £78,000, allowing the school to make an outstanding contribution to our vital work.

Thomas’s School chose us as their Charity of the Year 2015/16 after Chair of the PTA, Anna Boucher, saw our amazing dogs in action.  Throughout the year there have been a series of fundraising activities including selling ice creams, a quiz night, Christmas Fayre, Spring Fair and dog show plus a summer ‘Wild West’ ball.  We carried out a thank-you ceremony and cheque handover from Thomas’s School on Thursday 28^th July.

Anne Yendell director of fundraising and marketing at Canine Partners comments, “We are truly impressed and grateful for the fundraising efforts put in by Thomas’s School.  Any amount people can raise is always appreciated, yet these kinds of figures can really make a difference.  I cannot thank the pupils, staff and parents of Thomas’s School enough and look forward to discussing which areas of our work they would like to support with the funds.”

Already, Thomas’s school has used £20,000 for a Gold dog sponsorship package.  This means they have been able to name a puppy and sponsor it through its entire working life.  A little black Labrador puppy is therefore called Thomas and the school will be following his training, which began in January this year.  Later Thomas will progress into advanced training and further down the line be matched with the person he will assist.

Anne Boucher comments, “The pupils have really engaged in supporting Canine Partners and understanding the importance of fundraising.  Our visit from demo dog Toffee was a particular highlight, especially as they got to see first hand what tasks these dogs can do to change the lives of people with disabilities.  We are eagerly following Thomas’s journey and look forward to seeing what comes next!”

[Pictures show (top) Thomas’s pupils and teachers with Thomas (bottom) Anna Boucher with canine partner in training Thomas]