Over 110 guests from the corporate sector recently attended a special Support Dogs buffet and showcase at The Hilton Hotel, Deansgate last month to discover more about the special work of the Support Dogs charity. Current sponsors PWC, Aon, Irwin Mitchell, Broadstone, Cresta Hotel, Myersons and The Business Network were also represented at the Reception along with charity clients and their support dogs. Guests heard moving stories from Manchester clients Lynn who has epileptic seizures and Andrea who has physical disabilities on how having a specialist support dog had completely transformed their lives. This prompted Steve Edge from Optsm Ltd to promise to raise £2,000 by cycling from the Hilton Hotel to Support Dogs Sheffield HQ and back on July 17, and Rebecca Fairclough from Farleys Solicitors said they would become sponsors and aim to raise enough funds to name a support dog “Farley”
Founded 26 years ago in Sheffield, the charity now provides special assistance and support dogs all over the UK. Each support dog for autistic children and adults with epilepsy or disabilities takes two years to train at a cost of £20,000 and then a further £2,000 per year to maintain the correct level of support needed during the dog’s working life. Support Dogs delivers all this completely free of charge to their clients and strives to raise over £1 million pounds a year. Companies large and small give generous support and are linked with a working support dog or a support dog in training. Wherever possible, the support dogs visit the donor firms to meet staff for PR and photo opportunities.
Contact us to find out more about the support your business could give to a charity that makes a huge difference to the lives of children and adults needing help. To find out more email David Heugh at david.heugh@supportdogs.org.uk
