When we set up The Pet Guru we all agreed that we wanted to sponsor an animal charity and spent many hours discussing different possibilities. There are, after all, so many worthy causes, but none resonated quite as much as Winston’s Wheels Charity. It felt like the perfect match because of our recent trauma when our Guru Pet, Vesper suddenly, and without warning, lost the use of her hind legs, which thankfully for us was not permanent, but still requires on-going physiotherapy (read more in our previous blog).
About Winston’s Wheels Charity
Set up by Sudbury based Rachel Cansell following the diagnosis of a tumour on the spine of her beloved dog Winston in May 2017 which led to him soon losing the use of his hind legs, Winston’s Wheels Charity helps people and their dogs-in-need by supplying dog wheelchairs and strollers to keep dogs mobile and able to socialise.
Winston
By raising money through online donations, regular raffle draws and exhibiting at dog shows (where they run tombolas and sell merchandise) they have raised around £70,000 to date. Of which, over £65,000 has been spent on wheelchairs and £4000 on strollers. They now have over 500 wheelchairs and 50 strollers which are currently out with dogs who desperately need help. Each set of wheels stays with the dog for as long as is required before being returned so that it can be sent out to the next dog on the list. They have amazingly helped over 600 dogs to date.
They ask nothing in return for the use of their equipment other than photo updates on their Facebook page to see the equipment in use and to show the kind folk who have donated how their money has been spent on improving the quality of life of those desperately in need. It’s truly heart-warming.
Sadly, Rachel lost Winston in June 2020 but continues to fundraise in his name so that his legacy lives on. Losing the use of his hind legs never held him back as he happily zoomed about with his wheels, and it is Rachel’s wish to keep all dogs mobile on wheels (or at least able to socialise in strollers). She now has 25-week-old Percy and beautiful Winnie keeping her busy as they zoom about on their wheels – as well as the many, many others she is currently helping too.
Percy & Winnie
What we are doing to help
When we met Rachel at our very first dog event in July, we donated a selection of our products to use as raffle prizes. She later told us that raffle had raised an impressive £336 which was enough to buy a medium sized wheelchair. Such wonderful news! We will continue to donate products to use as prizes for future raffles.
We also give a monthly donation to the charity. As we are a small start-up brand the size of donation reflects this, but as we grow, so will the amount we are able to donate.
What you can do to help
You can show your support by following them on Instagram: @winstons_wheels_charity_ and Facebook: Winston Wheels Charity 1191322. Here you can see many of the dogs they help (past and present) as well as being kept up-to-date with all of their latest fundraising activities and dog shows they will be attending.
You can also donate to them on a monthly basis or as a one-off donation. Find out more on their website winstonswheels.org.uk
Thank you.