Canine Partners puppy in training Octavia is presented with a cheque for £2,995
Hampton Court Palace Gardens and Estate team have been busy raising £2,995 for assistance dog charity Canine Partners.
Puppy in training Olivia and her volunteer puppy parents Clinton and Mary Arthur were presented with the donation by the Royal Palace team who have had a busy year fundraising in aid of the life-changing charity.
Canine Partners was formed in 1990 and has to date partnered more than 600 assistance dogs across the UK. The dogs are trained to perform tasks such as opening and closing doors, undressing, pressing buttons, retrieving items, unloading washing machines, taking card and cash from ATMs and other everyday tasks that disabled people find difficult, painful or impossible to do for themselves.
Kay Gilmore, Community Fundraiser for Canine Partners, said: “We are delighted to accept this generous cheque from the Hampton Court Palace Gardens and Estate Team. We would like to thank the staff for their fantastic fundraising efforts during the past year.
“They have been busy selling raffle tickets, organising cake sales and coffee mornings and even sold more than 80 hanging baskets to raise funds for us.
“We are so grateful to the team for all their enthusiasm and commitment they have made to transform the lives of disabled people by supporting Canine Partners.
“Canine Partners does not receive any government funding and relies solely on donations, so the money they have donated will truly make a difference.”
Wendy Ireland, from Surrey, who has Hypermobility syndrome and relies on canine partner Mia, said: “At home Mia helps get me undressed for a shower or ready for bed, she finds and gets my shoes, opens doors, gets the telephone, picks up the many things I drop, gets the post, takes the washing from the machine, puts the footplates down on my wheelchair, helps with my physio by letting me groom and stroke her plus so much more. Out and about she presses pedestrian crossing and lift buttons, gets things off the shelves in shops, pays by handing over the purse, jumps up and takes money from the cash machine and generally gives me the confidence to go out without another human with me. What’s more, if I take a turn for the worse she can alert Joel or my personal assistant, pass my emergency button pendant or press the ‘Careline’ emergency call button.”
People with disabilities as diverse as MS, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, ME, spina bifida and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome benefit from the assistance and support of these assistance dogs. In addition, through the Charity’s connection with Help For Heroes, there are canine partners helping former service personnel not only with their injuries but also to overcome the debilitating effect of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Richard Lewis, a member of the Hampton Court Palace Gardens and Estate team, said: “I put Canine Partners forward for us to fundraise for the past year as I have always had a soft spot for dogs and I like the fact they also transform the lives of people with disabilities.
“It’s great the dogs get a great home and benefit the people they are partnered with. It’s a great feeling to know we have made a difference.”
To find out how you can fundraise for Canine Partners please visit caninepartners.org.uk or contact janeg@caninepartners.org.uk or 01730 716102.