Reigate dog rescue volunteer's fundraising mission (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Reigate dog rescue volunteer's fundraising mission

11:08pm Monday 28th January 2013 in News

A dog rescue volunteer from Reigate is to have the cause's logo tattooed on himself and donate proceeds from his work towards it in a bid to raise funds.

Wayne Smith is trying to raise at least £2,000 for Epsom Canine Rescue (ECR).

The majority of the rescue's work lies within a ten-mile radius of the Reigate area. Wayne, who works as a personal trainer for WS Fitness Academy in Dorking, said: “Over the Christmas period, like most rescues, we had a massive intake of unwanted and abandoned dogs.”

He said: “A number of them needed and still need specialist and expensive treatments, which has taken its toll on the rescue.”

Wayne said the cause's need for a quick injection of cash has also been added to by the plight of one of its dogs, Potter, who has been with ECR for seven months since being rescued, but who now needs expensive veterinary treatment.

Wayne said: “Potter now needs a leg amputation in order to remove a tumour and save his life.”

He said: “This is obviously quite a shock and an upsetting time.

“We all want the best for him, and, as you can imagine, vet bills aren't going to be cheap.”

Wayne said: “We have set up a fundraising site in aid of Potter and to help ECR with his costs, but to also raise awareness of the great work that the rescue does.”

And Wayne is going all out to raise as much money as he can for the cause and its work by trying to raise at least £2,000, on which he will go under the tattooist's needle and get an Epsom Canine Rescue Tattoo, courtesy of Tony’s Tattoo Studio in Reigate, as well as through donating proceeds from his personal training work.

He said: “I will be doing short and intense 20 minute one-to-one sessions, in which people can donate what they think the session is worth, with a minimum of £5. “Proceeds will go to the cause.”

People wanting to make a donation can do so online at: www.justgiving.com/INK4ECR For more information on the rescue, volunteering, adoption and updates on how Potter and other rescue dogs are doing, visit the ECR Facebook page or its website at: www.epsomcaninerescue.co.uk