Categories: A big thank you
A big thank you
A big thank you to Jacquie Lawson for launching a Canine Partners e-Christmas card
The ‘Top Hats and Tails’ festive e-card features two dogs and a robin dressing a snowman to the tune of We Wish You a Merry Christmas, very apt for our charity which trains their dogs to dress and undress their disabled partners!
The e-card is available for subscribers to purchase and send to their friends, family and colleagues to enjoy. For more information visit www.jacquielawson.com or view ‘Top Hats and Tails’ here.
Thank you Royal British Legion for your generous support
Dee Simpson, Canine Partners volunteer fundraiser in Somerset, said: “We would like to thank the Royal British Legion Langport branch for their kind donation. The money raised will help us to train more assistance dogs during our 25th anniversary year, meaning more disabled people will have their lives changed for the better.”
Canine Partners, which works in partnership with the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, aims to train dogs to meet the needs of people with even the most complex disabilities including members of HM Armed Forces.
Sir William Young, President of the Royal British Legion Langport Branch, said: “We know that these dogs are of immense benefit, both physically and psychologically, to their companions. We hope that Canine Partners will be able to provide one of their marvellous dogs to help someone who has served in the Armed Forces”.
New Christmas gifts to celebrate 25 years of transforming lives
Our new selection of festive merchandise includes a diary, books, clothing, dog toys and stationery from as little as £1 plus postage and packing, which can be purchased either through our shop or by calling 01730 716032.
This year’s Christmas card selection features 30 designs including ‘Yappy Christmas’, ‘Winter Fun’ and ‘Snowman and Friends’ and is priced from £3.25 per pack plus postage and packing. Canine Partners’ cartoon pup Sunny can be found in festive cheer on two of our new items, our fun Christmas jumper (£27) and wrapping paper (£1.50).
Julie Graham, from Canine Partners, said: “For the past 25 years we have transformed the lives of people with disabilities, so why not help us continue our good work by supporting our charity through our shop – we have something for everyone!
“We value any support the community can give us in changing the lives of people with disabilities and you can either buy online or place your order over the phone.”
Another fantastic Christmas present idea is to sponsor a Canine Partners’ puppy for as little as £1 a week through our My Amazing Puppy regular giving scheme. The recipient will receive regular photographs and updates throughout the puppy’s training, right up to when they have been partnered with one of our disabled applicants.
Brookham School raises £4800 for Canine Partners
The Brookham children wholeheartedly embraced this charity after meeting two wonderful Canine Partner dogs last year who demonstrated the amazing skills they possess to help disabled people at home, such as taking off a coat, picking up keys and helping to do the laundry.
The children were very moved by what they saw, and one boy was so inspired he immediately kicked off the fundraising by donating £8.91 of his own pocket money.
Thank you Worthing Lions for their roaring support
Malcolm Wells MBE, National Speaker for Canine Partners said: “We’re delighted Worthing Lions has pledged their support and their donation will by life-changing for four families who will benefit from Canine Partners assistance dogs. The money will be used to sponsor the two week residential course for four future partnerships in Worthing. During their on-site training they will spend time with their canine partners learning all the commands the dogs have been taught by the trainers, about the welfare of their dogs and how to care for them.
“We would like to thank Worthing Lions volunteers and members for raising the money at Worthing Seafront Festival which despite the weather conditions was a fantastic weekend.”
The money donated by Worthing Lions, which is run by dedicated volunteers, was raised from a spectacular Worthing Lions Seafront Festival, in which visitors enjoyed a weekend of events around the Seafront area of the town. Canine Partners demonstrated some of tasks their amazing dogs can carry out at the event.
Daring David completed ‘Clock to Rock’ cycling challenge
David, 53, of Chichester, cycled 1,600 miles during the course of 16 days through France and Spain to reach Gibraltar, with just two rest days.
David, a catering manager, who completed the challenge with his friend Trevor Plunkett, said: “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet lots of interesting people along the way and also to see France and Spain in a way that you wouldn’t see it whilst driving, the added bonus to all this was that I managed to raise over a thousand pounds to help Canine Partners. I am doing the challenge for Canine Partners because I am an abled bodied person who can achieve a massive challenge to help out a charity that helps give people independence and a quality of living.”
Holly Bryan, Events and Challenge Coordinator here at Canine Partners, said: “What David has achieved is phenomenal and has certainly gone the extra mile to raise money for Canine Partners. Canine Partners does not receive any government funding and relies solely on donations so all the money David raised from his incredible feat will enable us to partner more people with disabilities with our amazing assistance dogs.”
To sponsor David, visit www.justgiving.com/Dave-Ainger.
Great effort David, well done!
Billingshurst Cubs enjoy meet and greet with Jenson
Julie gave a talk to the group about the journey each and every assistance dog makes from being specially picked at eight weeks old through to being matched with a disabled person. They also learned the three core skills the puppies learn of touch, tug and retrieve, which are developed into more complex tasks such as pressing a button to call a lift, tugging a door open and fetching a phone, before answering their many questions.
The Cubs enjoyed numerous dog-related games, including a special Canine Partners word search, before having a gentle stroke with golden retriever Jenson during the fun evening. They have chosen to fundraise for Canine Partners and are each completing a task of filling a bone with one pound coins.
Thank you to all of Billingshurst Cubs and Julie and Jenson for their inspiring talk.
Thomas’s of Fulham choose Canine Partners as their Charity of the Year
The school has been busy selling ice creams, making dog kennel moneyboxes and filling them with change – and even the parents and teachers took part in a quiz night which raised £8,500 for us! All their hard-work and dedication in raising funds is enabling them to creep towards their £50,000 target, which will help us transform the lives of even more people with physical disabilities.
Sue and Andy Simms, who have Canine Partners demo dog Toffee, wowed the youngsters and teachers alike with the amazing tasks Toffee can perform, including fetching his own bowl, opening and closing doors, taking Sue’s hat, jacket and socks off, taking clothes out of the washing machine – and even fetching a crutch!
Thank you to every single child, parent, teacher and guardian who is helping change the lives of people with physical disabilities – you are all truly amazing.
Meet our celebrity friends and supporters
Actress Claire Skinner with Trinity and Sandos
