At their grand finale event to finish off a year’s hard work fundraising, two of the charities assistance dogs in training, Ursa and Pepsi, demonstrated some of their task work by unveiling a huge bone-shaped cheque donated by the Midcounties Co-op.
After the unveiling, Brian joined staff and guests for a demonstration of task work by assistance dog Pepsi guided by trainer Clare Mehmet. The demonstration highlighted the range of tasks and skills assistance dogs can carry out for a disabled person, giving them the opportunity to lead life independently and to the full.
The event was rounded off by a special award presentation to key staff who had gone that extra mile in their fundraising for the charity. Peter Gorbing, Chief Executive of Dogs for the Disabled said “We have been thrilled to see the huge efforts that staff and customers of Midcounties Co-operative have made in order to help us train more assistance dogs. It costs around £10,000 and many hours of dedicated training to take a young pup and turn it into a fully working assistance dog, but being able to offer the gift of independence to a disabled person is certainly worth it.”
The money raised will support the training of fifteen assistance dogs through to the time that they graduate from training with their new disabled owner.
Stores raised money through a variety of region-wide initiatives including A Pounds for a Hound where shoppers donated an extra pound on their shopping bill to help make a difference. Other events included a sponsored trampoline bounce, abseiling and sitting in a bath of baked beans!
Mark Henderson of Midcounties Cooperative said, “We are a member-owed, co-operative business and a long term supporter of local people and local causes. We are delighted not only to have met our target of £100,000 raise in a year but to smash the target and be able to hand over a whopping £150,000.”
