Art lovers gear up for Hampshire charity challenge

Canine Partners’ Textile Art Challenge is back – and this year it promises to be bigger and better than ever.

The event was launched last year by Olive Rowell, who was part of the team of embroiderers who helped create the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress in 2011.

The successful event raised more than £2,000 for the charity. Now Olive hopes it will raise £5,000 – enough to pay for the advanced training of one of Canine Partners’ dogs.

The dog will learn how to carry out a range of everyday tasks including opening doors, dressing and undressing a person and loading and unloading a washing machine.

They will then be specially-matched to a disabled person to help them with their day-to-day jobs.

All proceeds from the £10 fabric pack will go to the charity.

Artwork should be returned to Canine Partners by February 28 ready to be exhibited and auctioned. To buy a fabric pack and take part, call Jane Grant on 01730 716119,