HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO attends Canine Partners carol service

Canine Partners’ annual Carol Service, organised by supporters Draycott Nursing and Care, was held on Wednesday 16 December at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, and was attended this year by HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO.

The popular event was attended by more than 600 guests and had a host of celebrity readers including actors Fiona Fullerton and David Robb, TV personality Nicholas Parsons CBE LL.D and Colonel John Blashford-Snell OBE. The congregation was also treated to a special version of ‘Silent Night’ sung by Sophie Hurst.

The stars of the evening were undoubtedly all the Canine Partners dogs that were showing off their skills, as well as the many partnerships of disabled people with working canine partners who attended. One such partnership, Jo Hill and her canine partner Derby, had the guests in tears as she spoke about the difference Derby has made to her life and those of her four children and husband.

HRH The Countess of Wessex had a chance to meet all the dogs, who had practised a variety of tasks and had also perfected a bow when they met their Royal guest.

Draycott Nursing and Care have organised this event in aid of Canine Partners for four years, and have raised thousands of pounds, some of which has paid for the training and partnership of Hamlin who was named after Draycott’s Founder and Managing Director, Angela Hamlin.

CEO of Canine Partners, Andy Cook, said: “It was a wonderful evening made all the more special by the presence of HRH The Countess of Wessex. We thank Draycott Nursing and Care for organising the event, and all those who bought tickets and donated to the Charity.  We receive no government funding so the proceeds from this event will make a difference to the lives of more people with disabilities.”