Wishaw Press

Paws for thought as big day raises £10,000

- JUDITH TONNER

Four-legged friends helped to raise a grand total of £10,000 for St Andrew’s Hospice at the charity’s fifth annual Paws in the Park event.

A record number of 150 dogs were in attendance with their owners to complete a 6km sponsored walk at Strathclyd­e Park, smashing the fundraisin­g target in aid of its capital appeal.

There was also a dog fashion show and agility course, with prizes for the top entrants, while visitors were treated to attraction­s including a bouncy castle and stalls.

Dance troop CMDA and local singers Kara Beggs and Robyn Ward entertaine­d the crowds, while the proceeding­s were compered by host Amber Zoe.

The event raises funds for the hospice’s £9 million capital appeal – it was completely renovated and refurbishe­d last year with new rooms, en-suite facilities, direct garden access for all patients and state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology.

Although based in Airdrie, the hospice serves the whole of Lanarkshir­e.

Capital appeal director Karen McFadyen said: “It was the best Paws in the Park we’ve had – and after all the sponsorshi­p money is returned, we expect to make around £10,000.

“We had around 150 dogs there on the day, which was amazing considerin­g the weather, and our annual fashion show and agility course were also huge successes.

“Paws in the Park was the first event we did to raise funds for the capital appeal four years ago, and it’s really popular.

“This year’s was a fabulous event which went really well and the feedback has been tremendous; our thanks go to everyone who attended, supported and volunteere­d at Paws in the Park, and to sponsors Avondale Vets and Going Mutts.”

Pictures by Gary Morgan of evzgazphot­ography.

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