A GROUP of retired and semi-retired professionals and businessmen have dug deep to make a difference to disabled people’s lives.

Petersfield and District Probus Club, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, has had a record breaking year after raising more cash for charity than ever before.

The group, which was launched in 1977, handed over a cheque for £1,030.96 to their charity of the year Canine Partners, chosen by their outgoing chairman Wyn Davies.

The charity, which was based in Steep Marsh, Petersfield until the late 1990s, provides amazing assistance dogs that transform the lives of disabled people.

The dogs are trained to help with a range of everyday tasks including opening doors, picking up dropped items, helping a person dress and undress and even use a washing machine, boosting disabled people’s independence and confidence.

Wyn, from Rogate, called on the more than 40 active members of the club to donate to Canine Partners, having been a long-term supporter of the charity, sponsoring a puppy through its My Amazing Puppy scheme and collecting stamps.

He said: “As chairman of Petersfield and District Probus Club for the last year, we had the privilege if choosing a charity we wanted to support.

“We wanted to support Canine Partners, having been long term supporters, and also having visited one of the charity’s information evenings where we watched the dogs show us the skills they have been trained to do and heard from people about how much difference they make to their lives.

“The fact that we have raised record amounts for Canine Partners is a lovely way to start our 40th anniversary year. I’m pleased we had that kind of success during my year as chairman.”

Canine Partners’ CEO Andy Cook added: “We are extremely grateful to Petersfield and District Probus Club for raising this money which will help us to train even more of our amazing dogs.

“We receive no government funding so we really appreciate and rely upon donations like this from dedicated local people to enable us to continue our work making a difference to the lives of disabled people. Thank you Petersfield and District Probus Club.”

The charity is currently recruiting puppy parents, special volunteers that look after one of their puppies for the first year and, with full support, help teach it basic skills.

For more information on Canine Partners, including volunteering opportunities, visit caninepartners.org.uk.

Petersfield and District Probus Club meet at The Half Moon pub in Sheet on the last Thursday of each month for a range of walks, talks and outings.

For more information on how to join call Brian Mayo on 01730 894866 or email [email protected]