Hello and thank you for visiting my Justgiving page.
I returned from Tanzania on October 17th 2009 after a very successful build. I have bloged it on: http://dogs-blog.out-and-about-with-your-dog.com/2009/10/19/canine-partners-fundraiser-tanzania/
It is not too late to make a donation! My goal was £2545 but if we have more, this will make Canine Partners very happy :)
Some of the people Canine Partners helps
This is what Julia says about her Golden Retriever assisitance dog, Sarge.
“We are an expert team, everyone in the village I live knows him. They don’t see the wheelchair anymore they just see my handsome boy. Conversations get started and I feel proud to tell people what Sarge can do and don’t feel self conscious anymore about my disability.
Having Sarge as a Canine Partner has transformed my life totally! With Sarge I have been able to re start a Psychology degree which I have now finished. I also teach IT skills to other disabled adults on a voluntary basis at a local college. I certainly could not have done this without his support.
I make many train journeys around the UK to see all my family. I have been on holiday, visited Museums, flower shows and other events. We have even negotiated part of the Pennine Way. Having Sarge gives me the confidence to “GO Places”.
Some of the applicants who have applied to Canine Partners have lived for many months and even years without leaving their home and for them a Canine Partner is truly a life enhancing experience - literally opening doors enabling them to enjoy a greater independence. Others have an active life but need some additional help in order to enable them to continue living life the way they want to.
Many people are helped by this charity and by raising this money I hope to directly help one such person get their life back on track.
Tanzania
As my part of the bargain, I shall leave the comfort of my Brighton home and will be travelling to Tanzania in East Africa for 10 days. I shall be donning my hard hat, builder’s gloves, steel-capped boots, and lending a helping hand to a very special project.
We shall be helping to build Choba Primary School, a project already underway and being worked on by the local community. I may be digging foundations, clearing land, mixing concrete or plastering - part of a team of 10-20 volunteers organised by Charity Challenge - and we shall spend every day on the building site.
This project is very special since it brings together two of my passions - children (I am a teacher) and dogs (we have two)!
How the money is broken down.
£2545 is given to Canine Partners and out of that they pay £1355 towards the cost of the expedition to Tanzania. They keep £1145 for themselves.
A separate £500 is being raised for Community Projects Africa, the charity managing the build of Choba primary school.
Our Fundraising Efforts
Part of the money will come from a jazz gig we’re hosting on July 18th 2009. Mark Bassey (my husband!) will be playing with his jazz quartet and there will be a raffle and a bar - well, a table selling drinks! For more details on this event visit www.markbassey.com.
The rest of the money will come from Mark and I and our generous friends and family members.
Your Donation
If you think you can help I would be most grateful. You can donate anonymously if you’d rather, or you can shout your donation from the rooftops! Every last penny or cent will be sent to Canine Partners to help their dog training programme.
If you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
Please help if you can.
Many thanks
Hilary Burt
