A CYCLE ride raised more than £4,000 for a former Petersfield charity that still uses the town as a training ground.
Canine Partners provides assistance dogs to the disabled, and before moving to Midhurst, the charity was based at Steep Marsh near Petersfield.
But the link with the town remained, with their trainers are often seen walking dogs and their partners-to-be around Petersfield.
The dogs are taught to open doors, dress and undress a person and even load and unload a washing machine, giving back a disabled person their confidence and dignity.
On Sunday, October 9, more than one hundred people took part in the charity’s first annual Pedal for Paws cycling challenge through the South Downs National Park.
Cyclists gathered for the start of the 16, 29 and 52-mile routes at the Canine Partners Southern Training Centre, and volunteers helped direct the bikers around the course, and handed out snacks and medals.
The money raised will help them train more life-changing dogs for disabled people.
Among the spectators was Sally Whitney who is supported by her dog Ethan, a Labrador cross golden retriever.
The 29-year-old said: “It was fab seeing the cyclists pedal through the finish line, especially knowing they had put in so much pedal power on behalf of people like me who benefit massively from having a canine partner. Everyone was shouting and waving to help cheer them on. There may have been some whooping on my part and jumping up and down on Ethan’s.
“I had to be there on the day as my carer Sophie and her partner Connor were taking part. It’s unbelievable what people put themselves through to help raise funds for the charity, to directly help people like me. Canine Partners has helped me in so many ways.
“Ethan is a huge part of my life and he is more than an assistance dog – he’s my best friend and independence personified. I don’t know where I would be without him.
“It’s great to think that even more people can be partnered with a dog like my Ethan thanks to this event.”
The participants included Invictus Games gold medalist and former RAF aircraftsman Mike Goody.
The 31-year-old from Bognor Regis, who is known as the UK’s ‘prince of the pool’, said: “Pedal for Paws was absolutely fantastic – and the weather even held out for us.
“There was a great atmosphere on the day and it was amazing to see so many supporting Canine Partners.
“I’m normally known for my swimming so it was nice to make a splash in a cycling challenge and complete the 16 mile route. I’m looking forward to next year’s event already.”
Canine Partners’ director of fundraising, Anne Yendell, added: “The cyclists were super and really pushed themselves to complete the three routes through the countryside.
“I’m grateful to everybody who took part and helped raise over £4,000 for Canine Partners, which receives no government funding.
“As this year’s event was so successful we have already got to work planning next year’s – and we are even launching a second cycling challenge in Leicestershire for our supporters in the Midlands.”
Pedal for Paws is part of a calendar of events that Canine Partners has organised. The 2017 challenges take place on 8 October 2017 in the Midlands and 22 October in the South.
For more information about the charity’s work or upcoming events visit caninepartners.org.uk