My mum, Sue, loved dogs and they loved her right back. Mum and Dad first got a dog in 1977, before I was born, and after that, dogs were a central part of our lives. It only seemed natural that we raised money to help support the wonderful charities from where so many of the doggies Mum loved came from.

Dogs Trust is a very well known charity, doing amazing work rescuing and re-homing dogs all over the country. Mum and Dad adopted Skye from Dogs Trust and Dom and I adopted Poppy, Skye's sister when they were eight weeks old. Without Dogs Trust, she would not have had over 15 years of happiness and companionship with them. They were more than just pets; they were cherished members of our family who filled her life with unconditional love and laughter.

Dogs Trust does truly great work, and Mum always admired their commitment to dog welfare. They are dedicated to giving every dog a happy life, from providing expert care and finding loving furever (sic) homes to campaigning for better animal welfare laws. Their "never put a healthy dog down" policy is a testament to their compassionate and responsible approach, ensuring that every dog in their care has the best possible chance at a bright future. By supporting Dogs Trust, we are helping to ensure that other families can experience the same profound joy that Skye and Poppy brought to Mum (and to all of us!)

In Mum's final months, she also found great comfort and enjoyment in the company of our new family dog, Rocket. Although their time together was short, the bond they shared was a beautiful reminder of Mum's enduring love for all dogs. This donation is a way for us to give back and thank Dogs Trust for the wonderful work they do, ensuring that more dogs like Skye, Poppy, and Rocket can find their way into loving homes and bring immeasurable happiness to others, just as they did for Mum.

The other great charity we are raising money for is DogsnHomes Rescue to celebrate the beautiful bond Mum shared with her beloved dog, Shona. After Skye passed away, Mum found herself struggling with the quiet absence of a canine companion. It was at this difficult time that she discovered the incredible work of DogsnHomes Rescue.

DogsnHomes Rescue, an "elite re-homing charity with a difference," is dedicated to rescuing dogs from both Portugal and the UK and finding them their forever homes. Mum was incredibly moved by their mission, which is why she chose to adopt Shona, a rescue from Portugal. DogsnHomes Rescue takes great care to get to know potential adopters and listens to their preferences to ensure the right people are matched with the right dog. This thoughtful approach led them to Shona, who was a perfect match for Mum.

Shona was more than just a pet; she was a source of immense joy, comfort, and unconditional love. Her gentle and caring nature brought a light back into Mum’s life, filling her days with happiness and purpose. The love Mum and Shona shared was a testament to the wonderful work that DogsnHomes Rescue does in giving dogs from difficult situations a new lease on life.

By donating to DogsnHomes Rescue, we are helping to ensure that other dogs in need can be rescued and find loving homes, just as Shona did. It is a way for us to give back to the organisation that brought such profound happiness to Mum's life and to honour her memory by supporting a cause that was so close to her heart. This donation is our way of saying thank you for the love, companionship, and joy that Shona brought to Mum, a gift made possible by the compassionate and tireless efforts of DogsnHomes Rescue.

To see more photos of Mum with Skye and Shona, please click through to the different charity pages on the right.