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

Reigate dog rescue volunteer's fundraising mission success

4:55pm Monday 18th February 2013 in News

A Reigate dog rescue volunteer's fundraising mission for a local cause and a beloved rescue dog has topped its target by more than £1,000.

Wayne Smith, a personal trainer, was trying to raise at least £2,000 for Epsom Canine Rescue (ECR), which helps dogs mainly within a ten-mile radius of the Reigate area, and raise funds for one of its rescue dogs, Potter.

Potter, who had been at ECR for seven months, needed a leg amputation in order to remove a tumour and save his life.

But on pledging to have the ECR logo tattooed on himself and to donate proceeds from his work towards the cause, Wayne saw his £2,000 target topped within 11 days of him setting up his online fundraising page.

With his tattoo duly done by Tony’s Tattoo’s in Reigate, Wayne saw donations continue to tot up until the online total exceeded £2,300. And with other donations, including an online auction on a local dog forum, the fundraising total has now passed the £3,000 mark.

Grateful Wayne said: “Potter himself went through major surgery to remove not only the leg, but also the shoulder, and was expected to be kept in at the vets for specialist care for a number of days. “However, less than 24 hours later, we received a call saying he was up and about and singing to come home. “When we picked him up, he was very happy and walked through the door, straight to his toy basket for a tennis ball.”

Wayne continued: “After a couple of days however, reality kicked in, the pain relief wore off some and Potter spent a week of being very sore and getting used to only having three legs. “Twelve days later the stitches came out, Potter was a lot more comfortable and starting to get back to his old self.”

He said: “He’s now allowed to go for short walks and chase tennis balls in the garden, although he does take the odd tumble from time to time and tires very quickly. “The vets have said they have never seen an animal recover so quickly from such major surgery and are very pleased with his progress.”

As well as receiving fund donations, Potter also received a number of toys, treats and special dietary food, that was sent to ECR to aid his recovery. He has now been accepted as part of the Greyfriars Dog Hydrotherapy charity scheme, under which he will receive physiotherapy and will shortly be starting swimming sessions to build up lost muscle and strength. Wayne said: “We would like to thank everyone involved in helping make this possible, especially the readers who so kindly donated. “Every penny really has made a difference to both Potter and the Epsom Canine Rescue.”

People who would like to make a donation to ECR can do so online at its fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/INK4ECR Other ways in which people can help ECR include sponsoring a rescue dog, volunteering and fostering. Wayne said: “There are so many dogs like Potter waiting their turn for a loving home, so I urge anyone thinking of getting a dog to look at adopting, rather than buying.”

All dogs currently at ECR can be seen on the website at: www.epsomcaninerescue.co.uk