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Stars gather for Guide Dogs Awards 2014
Camilla Kerslake
Classical Brit nominee Camilla Kerslake.

Evening celebrates the life-changing work of guide dogs

A host of celebrities and over 450 guests turned out for the Guide Dogs Annual Awards 2014.

The fundraising awards, which took place on Wednesday (December 10) at the London Hilton on Park Lane, are a fantastic celebration of the very best of Guide Dogs.

England rugby captain Chris Robshaw, The Only Way is Essex star Debbie Douglas, Made in Chelsea's Lucy Watson, and Classical Brit nominee Camilla Kerslake were among the celebrities who were there to meet the finalists and present awards.

The headline Inspirational Guide Dog Owner Award was presented to Verity Smith - a top-level sportswoman who has competed for Britain as a dressage rider. Verity is an accomplished singer/songwriter and campaigner.

Verity was registered blind at age 16 and got her first guide dog at age 27. “Uffa is my wing man,” Verity said about her black labradoodle guide dog. “He’s just brilliant. He loves his job and comes everywhere with me, including up on stage when I perform!”

TV sports presenter Adrian Chiles, who hosted the awards, said: “These awards applaud the amazing achievements of guide dogs and their owners as well as some of the fantastic people and organisations that make Guide Dogs’ life-changing work possible. I know what a difference a guide dog can make to someone’s life and I’m delighted to be part of the annual event honouring that unique bond.”

Richard Leaman, Guide Dogs’ Chief Executive, said: “The Guide Dogs Annual Awards are a highlight of the year for us. We heard about guide dog owners who have overcome enormous personal challenges. We heard about campaigners who were not afraid to stand up and demand that things change. We heard about experts using their specialist knowledge to help people with sight loss. We met young people with the energy and creativity to make things happen.
 
“In my five years at Guide Dogs, I have witnessed the huge difference we have made and continue to make to the lives of people living with sight loss. Every moment of the day Guide Dogs is helping people like Verity get to where they want to be in life, and the awards evening is a truly inspiring occasion which reminds us of how life-changing our work is.”

Image (C) Guide Dogs
 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.