Canine Partners raises £40,000 at The Cavalry and Guards Club reception

Amputee Afghanistan war veteran Guy Disney was among 150 guests at a high-profile event at The Cavalry and Guards Club which raised £40,000 for assistance dog charity Canine Partners.

The Charity, which is celebrating 25 years of transforming the lives of people with disabilities, organised a three course dinner, silent and live auctions and a speech by army captain Guy for their guests to enjoy.

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”.

All money raised from the evening will help Canine Partners train more assistance dogs to transform the lives of people with physical disabilities. Canine partners carry out tasks such as opening and closing doors, undressing, retrieving items, unloading the washing machine, taking cash and card from ATMs and fetching help in an emergency.

Jo Hill gave a moving talk about the difference Derby has made to her and her family’s life.

The mother-of-four said: “I am responsible for Derby. This is an incredible thing; after my accident I had to hand over huge amounts of my children’s care to other people but somehow being responsible for Derby, as I have to be, has given me back an aspect of my life, and confidence, that I had lost.

“The difference that Derby has made to my life, and that of my family, is almost impossible to encapsulate in words and is certainly unquantifiable.  He has given me back some things that I thought had gone for ever, and some things I did not even admit to myself that I had lost.”

To find out more about Canine Partners please visit caninepartners.org.uk or call 08456 580480.