Just before Christmas last year, we lost our beloved rescue French Bulldog called Jaffa. What a beautiful little soul she was, and she left a big hole in our household.

Then, earlier this year, we heard about CupCake, a neglected English Bulldog brought in to the Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter, who was in a pretty bad way, and who required a welfare foster family to give her the 24 hour care she needed during her journey back to health.

The day we met her, we fell in love with what has turned out to be one of the most friendly and sweet natured dogs I've ever known.

When we took her on, the skin on the underside of her feet had never developed into paw pads, and her nails would cut into the skin causing cuts on a daily basis. Added to this some pretty bad skin conditions, bare patches of fur, 'cherry eye' in both eyes, inter-digital cysts, and some breathing difficulties, she needed a lot of help.

About a month ago, the vets performed what I think is an absolute miracle and essentially rebuilt her back feet, and fixed her cherry-eye in both eyes.

There is still a long process to go, but she is making a wonderful recovery and showing us her puppy-energy that she brings to our home every day.

But all of this fine veterinary work comes at a heavy price, and funded by the amazing team at the Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter, and we as a family felt like we need to try to give as much back as we can.

So we are asking for donations, with a prize at the end! I bought a beautiful Epiphone Les Paul Pro electric guitar at auction recently, and for every donation of 10 pounds, your name/email will go into the draw to win this guitar worth over 500 pounds!

Ten pounds minimum donation to be in with a chance, but if you donate 30 or 50 pounds, your name will go in three or five times. If you want to bid more then absolutely do! ALL money goes to the Shelter, and let's try to raise as much as possible for them to continue their great work!

If you choose to remain anonymous then we thank you so much for your donation but we obviously can’t add your name to the hat for the prize draw!

Thank you so much in advance for your kind generosity.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.