In response to the tragedy in Ukraine, at the start of March, The Kennel Club Charitable Trust and The Kennel Club launched a fundraising campaign to support dogs and their owners affected by the conflict. Bolstered by two £25,000 donations, one from The Kennel Club and one from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, the campaign raised £120,000 by the end of Crufts on 13 March.
Since then, gifts have continued to flood in from dog lovers around the UK. From breed clubs and dog shows to dog grooming salons, schools, community groups and dog loving individuals wanting to help, there has been a huge upswell of support. Support has also been given by the Championship Dog Shows, Dog Show Committees and Societies who between them have donated over £15,000 to the appeal.
The campaign received a further boost last week with a gift of $100,000 (approximately £76,000), from philanthropists and long-term supporters of the Trust, Vernon and Shirley Hill. Mr Hill said: “As dog owners ourselves, to our beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Sir Duffield, we are heartbroken to see the terrible pictures of dogs and their owners escaping the terrors in Ukraine - picture that show that amid the worst times, the love and loyalty people feel for their pets, endures. We want to make a difference and try to support dogs and their owners at this difficult time, and we encourage others to join us.”
The Trust’s Appeal for Ukraine now stands at £228,000, £130,000 of which has already been sent to Ukraine and is being used to make a difference on the ground immediately. Buoyed by the level of support to date, The Kennel Club Charitable Trust is now pushing to reach the £250,000 milestone and hopes that the dog loving public and will continue to get behind the campaign. “We are overwhelmed with the support so far,” says, Trustee, Rose Smart. “Vernon and Shirley’s gift is the epitome of philanthropy, and along with the thousands of other donations we have received, collectively, we will make a real difference to dogs and their owners affected by the conflict in Ukraine.”
The Trust is encouraging any individual or organisation who wants to support the Appeal for Ukraine to get involved and do what they can. Further information can be found on the Trust’s website: www.kennelclub.org.uk/support-dogs/Ukraine along with details on how to make a gift.
