More than 100 people were able to get into the festive spirit by tucking into mince pies, sipping mulled wine while browsing the numerous stalls on Friday 18 December. The live group The Three Wrens and band Force 10 got everyone into the jovial mood with their renditions of Christmas classics including ‘We wish it could be Christmas everyday’ and ‘Once it Royal David’s City’ at the Osgathorpe-based training centre.
Children were also able to visit Santa Claus in his grotto, where he was joined by his very own helper – one of our demonstration dogs.
Helen Watkinson, Regional Fundraiser at the Charity, said: “The Charity’s Midlands Centre turned into a winter wonderland for the evening and there really was something for everyone to enjoy!
“The £1,392.59 raised will enable us to train more assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities, transforming even more people’s lives.
“Thank you to everyone who supported this event, we really do appreciate it.”
Attendees were able to get into the festive spirit by tucking into mince pies, sipping mulled wine while browsing the numerous food, arts and craft stalls and activities on Thursday 3 December. The live a-capella group ‘In Accord’ got everyone into the jovial mood with their renditions of Christmas classics including ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ and ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’ at the Heyshott-based centre.
Children were also able to visit Santa Claus in his grotto, where he was joined by his very own helper – one of our demonstration dogs.
Holly Bryan, Events and Challenge Co-ordinator at the Charity, said: “The Charity’s Southern Centre turned into a winter wonderland for the evening and there really was something for everyone to enjoy!
“Thank you to everyone who supported this event, we really do appreciate it.”
Participants supported us by taking part in the energetic event at our Midlands Centre in Osgathorpe.
Helen Watkinson, Midlands Regional Fundraiser at Canine Partners, said: “We had around 20 people take part in the Zumbathon at our Midlands Centre and we raised a brilliant £255!
“It was fantastic fun and very funny – great way to raise money and awareness with a new audience!”
Canine Partners, an organisation which trains dogs to assist people with disabilities, held the event at Tor Sports and Leisure Centre in Glastonbury, Somerset, to mark the milestone, as well as the fifth anniversary of the puppy group and first birthday of puppy Piper. This venue is where the Charity holds its puppy training classes for local volunteers who look after their young dogs for a year and begin their training to be assistance dogs.
The dedicated group carried out games with their puppies such as waiting 25 seconds for treats, carrying their wooden spoon or dinner bowl for 25 steps the quickest and a temptation alley of 25 hot dogs. The Somerset puppy group also celebrated with a specially made dog cake and dinner for the pups!
Heather Loan, Somerset Puppy Group Trainer at Canine Partners, said: “We wanted to mark 25 years of Canine Partners with a special celebration – and what better way than honouring our puppies! Everyone had a great time while training their puppies in a fun and engaging way. The group put a lot of effort into the event with many quirky games and a small three course meal for each, made up of vegetable soup, chicken casserole or fish pie followed by a Bonio treat. We are always looking for new puppy parents to teach the assistance-dogs-in-training basic obedience, social skills and core tasks that are essential before they move on to advanced training, where their skills are refined specifically for a disabled person’s needs. It’s a really rewarding role.”
The Somerset puppy training group is always looking for more puppy parents to help train the young dogs. Please contact us for more information.
Volunteers, puppy parents, partners with disabilities and their assistance dogs and staff gathered at the Perthshire home of Trustee Lady Suzetta Rankin to acknowledge the success of the Scottish branch of our Charity.
Dale Gormley, Regional Fundraiser in Scotland, said: “It was a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved with Canine Partners in Scotland to meet, chat, relax and get to know each other in the Charity’s 25th anniversary year. It was a lovely sunny day and everyone had a lovely time, both two and four legged friends!”
Canine Partners dogs have currently changed the lives of 20 people in Scotland: restoring independence, giving family members peace of mind, allowing their disabled partners to return to work and even saving lives by responding in emergencies.
The annual event was won by ‘The Birds are Back’ and was made up by team members James Bird, Des Sturgess, Rob Smallman and Jack Smallman.
The Earl and Countess of Clarendon welcomed attendees including the Charity’s Patron HRH The Duke of Gloucester and Olympic gold medal winner Peter Wilson to their beautiful rural Hampshire estate.
Andy Cook, CEO at Canine Partners, said: “It was excellent to see a record number of teams enjoying the event in such a stunning setting. Teams spent the morning shooting before enjoying a three course lunch and auction. We are delighted to have raised £45,000 from the Clay Shoot. The money raised will enable the Charity to train more assistance dogs and in turn transform the lives of more people with disabilities.”
In 2009 Guy was involved in Operation PANCHAI PALANG when a Rocket Propelled Grenade hit the side of his vehicle, killed a soldier next to him and went through his right leg which had to be amputated below the knee. He has since completed two expeditions in the North Pole and South Pole, and has become the first jockey with an artificial leg to ride over fences in a race in Britain.
The auction helped the Charity raise £40,000 with some impressive lots, including a signed England rugby shirt, a Land Rover experience drive for two people and a villa for two weeks in Phuket, Thailand.
Milly Pocock, Special Events Officer for Canine Partners, said: “The Calvary and Guards Club event was a huge success for Canine Partners and enjoyed by all. Guy Disney gave an impressive speech about his experiences, followed by one of our partners, Jo Hill, who had a road traffic accident and now relies on her canine partner Derby. A special thanks to Lord Jimmy Zouche who helped organise the event, Guy Disney, Jo Hill, the event committee, all our supporters and the team that helped with this memorable event. We could not have done it without you”.
Olive, who was one of a team of 60 chosen to embroider HRH The Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress under strict confidentiality at the Royal School of Needlework in the lead up to the Royal wedding in 2011, is challenging people to buy a pack of 25 fabrics and use all of them, in whole or part, to create a finished piece. All proceeds from the pack – which cost £10 – will go to Canine Partners.
Olive, from Haslemere, said: “I thought the Textile Art Challenge would be a fun way for people to be creative while also supporting a local charity. The base of the project doesn’t have to be fabric so you could add wood, plastic or ceramics. Participants don’t have to sew but can glue, paint or even rivet to make the finished piece, the choice is yours. I am also planning an exciting exhibition in February of all the finished pieces.”
If you are interested in taking on the Textile Challenge please contact Olive on 01428 642507 or visit facebook.com/textilechallenge for more information.
Canine Partners were selected as an official partner of Bright10 and had the privilege of handing out finishers’ medals to those that took part and presenting the winners with their prizes. Attendees were able to meet and greet our demonstration dogs and talk to some of our partners who have our assistance dogs.
The money the runners raised for Canine Partners through sponsorship will help to fund the training of more assistance dogs, transforming the lives of people with disabilities. Thank you to all who got involved and joined our fabulous team.
Guests enjoyed a presentation about our work at Canine Partners, before watching demo dog Hamlet carry out some of the tasks our canine partners do for their partners every day including opening and closing a door, fetching a crutch, removing a hat, gloves, jacket, shoes and socks from his demo handler Sarah- and he even unloaded our washing machine!
Following this, one of our partners Margie Woodward spoke about how much of a difference her canine partner Molly has made to her life, enabling her to be more independent and confident.
Attendees were able to browse the numerous products from our shop, purchase their Christmas gifts and enjoy a cup of tea and a biscuit before setting off home.
Many thanks to everyone who attended and our amazing team of volunteers who helped on the day.
“I volunteer for Canine Partners because I love dogs and I want to use my time to help other people and make a difference to people with disabilities. My friend William and my husband Bob both help with the car park at Information Sessions too, so we make quite a team.”
Barbara, a volunteer who has helped at our Southern Centre Information Sessions for six years
