Annual show will raise cash to help people like Kate Cross
This year’s Market Bosworth show takes place on Sunday July 1
AS PREPARATIONS continue for this year’s Market Bosworth show, one woman has spoken of how the event’s chosen charity helped transform her life
Canine Partners, which partners specially trained dogs with those with physical disabilities, was chosen as the main beneficiary of this year’s event.
Kate Cross, from Burbage, has been the recipient of two amazing dogs from the charity after being left housebound by Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
The illness affected her skin, bones, blood vessels and other organs and tissues leaving her in pain daily.
Kate was partnered with her first assistance dog, Byron, in 2007 and her life was transformed immediately.
She said: “In my late twenties my full and busy life as a teacher and musician slipped away little by little over a period of years until I was unable to go to work or leave the house on my own.
“I found myself reliant on others to help me to participate in everyday activities and I was unable to carry out basic household jobs
“My joints were dislocating on a daily basis often as I picked something up from the floor or reached out to open a door or post a letter.
“I was afraid of the future because I knew my condition was likely to continue to deteriorate.
“These worries were alleviated when I was matched with my first canine partner, Byron, in 2007.
“My life changed overnight. I got a lot of my independence back.
“I suddenly had a purpose again and was no longer invisible to other people.”
Byron, a golden labrador, was trained to help Kate with every day tasks most people take for granted.
From helping her with laundry, making the bed and going shopping, Byron acted as a lifeline for Kate.
When Byron was forced to retire, suffering from arthritis, Kate once again faced an uncertain future until Canine Partners stepped in again.
In March 2014 Kate was partnered with May.
She said: “My life felt empty and full of pain as I started to dislocate joints trying to do tasks that Byron had previously done for me.
Then Canine Partners invited me to meet a potential successor dog - a lovely Labrador retriever cross called May.
“To say I was nervous would be an understatement – how would any dog be able to step into Byron’s paw prints?
“As we spent time together I began to see May’s potential.
“She was very steady and I felt safe with her next to me.
“When I met her again a couple of weeks later I had already fallen in love with her fun-lov- ing nature and her enthusiasm for work and play.”
May took on Byron’s former duties while Kate’s first assistance dog settled into a wellearned retirement in Kate’s home under the stewardship of her husband.
Since being paired, May has shown not only compassion but potentially life-saving skills.
Kate recalled: “May showed how intuitive she is when I passed out on the floor downstairs late in the evening a few months ago.
“My husband, Stuart, had already gone up to bed and had no idea of what had happened.
“I had trained May to go and fetch help from another person when she was asked to, but in this situation I was unconscious and unable to give her any instructions.
“However, May took herself upstairs and alerted Stuart who came down to help me.
“May lay close by my side and licked my arm as I regained consciousness – her way of reassuring me I suppose.
“Both my family and I have great peace of mind knowing that I have a dog who will get help in an emergency.
“May diverts my thoughts away from myself, my pain and the worries of the day.
“This lovely fun-loving dog has taken some of my disability away and has given me freedom.
“Jobs that were impossible and dreary are now achievable and fun.
“In the past if I was in pain, I may have stayed in bed all morning but I now get up, carried along by May’s love of life.
“She is so much more than a dog who gives me practical help: she is by my side constantly, my loyal friend, my security, my doorway to independence and she fills each day with laughter due to her sunny character.”
Canine Partners receives no Government funding and relies solely on public donations and legacies to carry out its work making any funds raised by the Market Bosworth Show vital to its future work.
Keeping the focus on fourlegged friends, this year’s show will also include a fun dog show organised by Nuneaton Dog Training Club with classes likely to include the waggiest tail and best rescue dog.
All entries can be made on the day.
As well as dogs, show goers also have the chance to show off their home baking, crafting and floral art skills, with special classes for junior entrants.
One floral art class, on the theme of Pushing the Boat Out with Bosworth Marina, will challenge people to come up with an arrangement featuring only foliage and water.
The full schedule is available on the show website.
And for anyone who would rather just watch than enter, there will be lots of opportunity with showing classes for Shetlands and Pony Club showjumping as well as side saddle riding and heavy horses, plus cattle, sheep and pigs.
Keeping the crowds entertained will be Ibstock Scout Band while Kate Field will be singing live the beer tent.
Catering stands are already fully booked but there are still trade stands available and stalls in the craft marquee.
For schedules and stand/ stall application forms go to the show’s website at www.marketbosworthshow.co.uk
Alternatively, call show secretary Helen Earp on Hinckley 290489 or email heearp@gmail.com