GENEROUS animal lovers have donated more than £60,000 to an assistance dog charity at the world’s biggest dog show, Crufts.
Allen Parton, the founder of Hounds for Heroes was overwhelmed by the welcome he received at the event where he was handed donations from organisations across the country.
Mr Parton, from Clanfield, an injured Gulf War veteran, was able to rebuild his life with the help of his late assistance dog, Endal.
He set up Hounds for Heroes to help injured members of the armed forces and members of the emergency services.
Accompanied by his latest helper Endal Junior (EJ) Allen attended the dog show in Birmingham.
He said: ‘The welcome the charity received over the four-day event was absolutely incredible.
‘We use Crufts as a point of focus to receive cheques and donations from around the country that would cost far too much to collect.
‘A major proportion of our donations are from dog clubs and there is always a huge probability that a representative from a club will attend Crufts.’
The long list of donors includes Marks & Spencer and even the prison service.
Allen said: ‘We were truly honoured to receive a cheque for a whopping £45,000 from Bexleyheath based 71st City of London Yeomanry Signal Regiment.
‘This will enable us to fully fund two Hounds for Heroes cadets for their working life time and one of the next squadron is going to be named Yeoman.
‘Over £5,500 was donated by Drove Vets, £5,000 from Marks & Spencer, £5,000 from BAE systems and £2,500 from HM Prison Service staff.
‘The message that these people are sending out to over 900,000 injured disabled and traumatised service personnel and even those currently serving on the front line is very loud and clear – folk do care.’
It’s the Petersfield-basedcharity’s fourth year at Crufts. To make a donation go to houndsforheroes.com.
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