If you love strolling through spring flowers and would like to raise money for assistance dog charity Canine Partners then the Heyshott Big Bluebell Walk is ideal for you.

The Charity is hosting a Big Bluebell Walk at their Southern Centre in Heyshott, near Midhurst, on Saturday 25 April at 10.30am.

Canine Partners provides specially trained assistance dogs to help people with disabilities such as opening and closing doors, undressing, pressing buttons, retrieving items, unloading washing machines, taking card and cash from ATMs and other everyday tasks that disabled people find difficult, painful or impossible to do for themselves.

Canine Partners CEO Andy Cook, added: “The Big Bluebell Walk is a family fun event and we would like as many people as possible to join us on our spring scenic walk - and you are more than welcome to bring your dog along too.

“We do not receive any government funding and rely solely on donations so the money you raise will help create more canine partnerships, transforming the lives of disabled people.

“This year is a particularly special one for us at Canine Partners as we are celebrating our 25th anniversary, so come along and walk your support for the Charity.”

The fundraising event is part of the Charity’s national Big Bluebell Dog Walk Campaign, which has raised more than £150,000 in the past 11 years.

All funds raised from this walk will help the Charity to train more assistance dogs and transform the lives of people with disabilities, including wounded servicemen and women in conjunction with Help for Heroes.

Former Royal Marine Jon Flint, of West Sussex, who has a spinal injury and is aided by canine partner Varick, said: “I now have the confidence to go out on my own again. He also helps me with small tasks that most people - including me before my disabilities -would take for granted, like picking up keys if I drop them or even just picking up a pair of shoes.”

To register or find out more information please visit caninepartners.org.uk/bigbluebellwalks, call 01730 716013 or email hollyb@caninepartners.org.uk.

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