Canine Partners runners pound the streets of Brighton in new running race
Assistance dog charity Canine Partners had a dedicated team of 30 runners in the new Bright10 running race.
The 10 mile race along the Brighton and Hove coastline took place on the morning of Sunday 18 October 2015.
Canine Partners, which is based near Midhurst, trains dogs 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.
The money the runners raise for Canine Partners through sponsorship will help to fund the training of more assistance dogs, transforming the lives of people with disabilities.
Holly Bryan, Events and Challenges Co-ordinator, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to be an official partner of Bright10, especially as it is our 25th anniversary this year.
“We are grateful to every single runner who took on the challenge for Canine Partners and are proud of their achievement.
“Canine Partners does not receive any government funding and relies on donations, so their fundraising efforts really will make a life-changing difference too many people with disabilities.
“It was a fantastic event and the atmosphere was superb on such a bright and chilly morning.”
Canine Partners was formed in 1990 and has partnered more than 580 assistance dogs across the UK to date. These amazing dogs have changed the lives of those they are helping: restoring independence, giving family members peace of mind, allowing their disabled partners to return to work and even saving lives by responding in emergencies.
Jessica Barnes, of Brighton, East Sussex, has brittle asthma, idiopathic intracranial hypertension and cauda equine syndrome and relies on canine partner Xenna.
Jessica, who cheered on the Canine Partners team and gave medals out to the runners, said: “As I suffer with a spinal condition, having Xenna pick things up for me is a massive help, along with emptying the washing machine which saves me bending. Xenna also gets the phone for me as it can take me a while to get up, so I don’t miss calls now!
“She can open and close doors when required and helps pick up items on the lower shelves while shopping. Xen tidies up her toys as she has learnt to put them in a box. I am constantly looking how Xen can help make life easier with new tasks so it’s constantly ongoing. I love the challenge of training her.
“She is way more than what I could have hoped for, and thank you just doesn’t seem enough for everything that this charity has done for me and others like me, to not only allow us to live independently, but happily, and give us a life too.”
To find out more about taking part in an event or challenge in aid of Canine Partners, please contact Holly on 01730 716013 or hollyb@caninepartners.org.uk.