Daredevil vet Laura went to new heights to raise £1000 for Canine Partners
Fearless vet Laura Sim plunged 10,000 feet through the clouds to raise more than £1000 for Canine Partners, an assistance dog charity which transforms the lives of people with disabilities.
Canine Partners 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.
Laura decided to take on the feat at Strathallan Airfield after treating assistance dog Jinx, who was partnered with amputee Bernard Wallis, in the final years of the golden retriever’s life.
Laura, 28, from MBM Vet Group in Mauchline, said: “When Bernard said he wanted to do a skydive I jumped at the chance to do it as well for Jinx. Unfortunately when Bernard was told he could not do the jump I was honoured to do it alone for such a good cause. Bernard and Margaret came up to support me and had a lovely day, it was quite emotional.
“I was lucky enough to be one of the vets who cared for Jinx in his later years and have been told many stories of his heroics including twice fetching Bernard the phone and licking him awake after falls in the house.”
Laura jumped in tandem out of a plane while harnessed to the front of a fully qualified instructor to raise money for the Charity during its 25th anniversary year.
Bernard, now living in Ayrshire but previously from Alton, who has a new canine partner called Bruce, said “I was very proud of what Laura did, she is a unique young lady. I was truly amazed at the amount of money that she has been able to raise and this is a fitting memorial to Jinx. It is nice to feel that someone else might be able to have an assistance dog and have their life changed as mine has been.”
He added: “Jinx was a beautiful white retriever, a very happy dog always willing to please and never judge. He gave me confidence and had the ability to lift my spirits when my condition got me down. We had many adventures, including a display at Crufts, he loved meeting people and loved to swim. He also has his paw-print in the Queen Mother’s Book of Condolences. Jinx was an exceptional dog, as all canine partners are, he was my carer, my best mate and stayed with me after he retired aged 12. I am now partnered with a stunning golden retriever called Bruce who can also take all of the nastiness away.”
There is still time to donate via www.justgiving.com/Laura-McCormick1.
If you are interested in taking part in a challenge like this in aid of Canine Partners then contact our Events and Challenges Coordinator Holly Bryan on 01730 716013 or email hollyb@caninepartners.org.uk.