Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 16th July 2024
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Paraplegic man completes record attempt for assistance dog charity
Peter Smorthit is raising money for Canine Partners, which trains assistance dogs.
Peter Smorthit pushed his wheelchair from Lands’ End to John O’Groats.

A paraplegic man is raising money for an assistance dog charity as he aims to achieve a Guinness World Record.

Peter Smorthit, from London, has pushed his everyday wheelchair 967 miles from Lands’ End to John O’Groats. He could be the first person to achieve this in a non-racing wheelchair, and the first complete paraplegic to travel the journey.

Mr Smorthit is raising money for Canine Partners, a Midlands-based charity which trains assistance dogs and partners them with people with disabilities.

Assistance dogs trained by Canine Partners are able to provide people with essential support. The dogs are able to pick up and fetch items, open doors and help with dressing and undressing.

They are also able to load and unload a washing machine and can get help in the case of an emergency.

The charity resonates with Mr Smorthit, who became a T10 complete paraplegic after a severe accident 13 years ago. Since then, he has taken on marathons, triathlons and fundraising challenges in aid of charities like Canine Partners.

For this latest challenge, Mr Smorthit set off from Lands’ End on 12 July. While pulling necessary supplies in a trailer, he aimed to travel approximately 30-40 miles per day.

He completed his journey on 15 July, after 34 days on the road. It has yet to be confirmed by Guinness World Records whether this is a record-breaking feat.

Mr Smorthit said: "I'm doing this challenge to say a massive thank you to the charity Canine Partners for all the amazing and vital work they do. I'm hoping I can raise funds to enable them to continue to transform the lives of many more disabled people by partnering them with one of their amazing assistance dogs."

In a post on his Just Giving page after his attempt, he wrote: “Has been one hell of a journey and have had literally everything imaginable thrown at me but I’ve just continued to dig in and kept going.”

Rebecca Middleton, community fundraiser at Canine Partners, said: "It's incredible to see Peter taking on this monumental challenge in support of Canine Partners. We are immensely grateful for his efforts!"

Image © Canine Partners

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.