Families support 5k Jog for a Dog in aid of My Canine Companion
By Laura Lyne
FAMILIES who have benefited from a canine companion are set to take part in Jog for a Dog, a 5K jog in aid of charity My Canine Companion with the charity encouraging people to pre-register for the event which takes place in April.
Last year's event saw over €10,000 raised for the charity, which trains service dogs for children and young adults with autism and provides great benefits including safety, independence and companionship for the child or young adult.
Families taking part include the Birchall and Daly families from Tallaght, who currently have puppies in training named Amber and Apple who are brother and sister golden doodles.
Grainne and Keith Daly’s son Kyle, who attends Scoil Santain and was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) over a year ago, became the proud owner of Apple following months of effort to raise the €10,000 required to train a canine companion.
Christopher Birchall from Glenview, who has down syndrome and ASD, welcomed Amber into the family along with his parents Eileen and Joseph after hosting a charity quiz in Molloy’s last June – with Christopher donating €6 from his own pocket money to hit the fundraising €5,000 target.
The 5K Jog for a Dog, which is open to both walkers and runners, will take place on Sunday, April 17 at Castletown House in Celbridge.
Online registration is available at www.popupraces.ie with entry fees ranging from €10 to €15. Registration will also be open on the day, with entry fees ranging from €15 to €20.
The race will begin on April 17 at 12.30pm, with chipped timing, medals and goody bags for all registered competitors and refreshments for participants and their families on the day.
Further information about the event can be found online at www.jog4adog.com, with sponsorship cards also available.
Details on My Canine Companion can be found at www.mycaninecompanion.ie
READ MORE…
