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A Message from Gerry Eckersley
Chairman & Show Manager –
Dogs in Need Agility Society Ltd
 Welcome
one and all -
After 18 months
of organising the 2012 show, producing seven days of blistering sunshine and six days of
agility, I am now sitting at home after walking the dogs through flooded fields. I live on the
Nene Valley and the dogs just love it! This weather reminds me of the general trend of agility
during 2012 with numerous shows cancelled through floods and wet fields. After 20 years would
this have been the same for Dogs In Need? The Ipswich the Suffolk County Show was cancelled for
one day due to bad weather, the first time in its history!
I thought the
only hope was to take on the services of a Sun God for the week and with the support of campers
and Facebook, the Sun God came good and delivered seven days of beautiful sunshine, sometimes
too hot for the dogs to run. Fortunately everyone was sensible with their dogs making sure they
had plenty of shade.
 And
the people, well they could cool down in the Quiet Dog Inn. Dogs In Need is an agility holiday
for seven days with many facilities on site to cater for all. Two nightclubs, (Whispers and the
Quiet Dog Inn). Food facilities on site include an on site shop, trade stands offering cooked
meals and snacks, ice cream, coffee and cream teas. And this year we had a very spicy, famous
celebrity greeting everyone on his or her arrival.
Recreational
activities including football, rounders, table tennis etc., together with Junior agility
training by top agility handlers from the UK and abroad. Agility for all grades including
Championship, even if you are only just starting in agility you will find that you are catered
for and treated the same as all other competitors. You may make new friends. Even if you don't
win, we hope you enjoy the experience. The main aim is for all to enjoy the week with
lots of laughs. You can see the best agility dogs and handlers displaying their skills.
When our
overheads are paid, however, should there be a profit, then various charities receive a
donation from Dogs in Need Agility Society. None of the DINAS committee receives a wage
or honorarium for their work, and over the last 20 years we have donated well in excess of
£150,000 to various canine charities. Last year we elected to change our constitution enabling
us to donate to other human charities, and as a consequence a donation was made to each of the
following:-
-
£1000 –
Alzheimer's Society
Leading the fight against dementia. The leading UK care and research charity for people with
this disease and other dementias, providing support to their families and carers.
-
£1000 –
British Heart Foundation
BHF is a charity that aims to prevent people dying from heart diseases.
-
£1000 –
Combat Stress. (The Enemy Within)
A small but significant number of veterans leave the Armed Forces with psychological wounds.
These can lead to depression, phobias, anxiety, relationship problems and, in some cases Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Combat Stress works with veterans of the Armed Forces and
members of the Reserve Forces, through effective treatment and support for mental health
problems. All services are FREE to the veteran, and are only made possible through statutory,
non-statutory and voluntary fund raising. Amongst other benefits, Combat Stress offers a
24-hour Helpline; Outpatient Clinics, Community Outreach Services, and specialist clinical
treatment at three short stay treatment centres in Shropshire, Surrey & Ayrshire.
-
£2000 –
East Anglian Air Ambulance
Serving the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. This service
provides FAST clinical expertise – medical crews possess enhanced clinical skills, which
exceed those of road ambulance crews.
-
£1000 –
Harley Staples Cancer Trust
At only eight years old, Harley was diagnosed with a rare Leukaemia in January of 2009.
He faced so many tests and treatments, but like a brave soldier, he smiled and laughed
everyday. Sadly Harley lost his battle, but in his memory his parents are fundraising to
build a purpose built holiday home for teenagers to use FREE with their families, enabling
them to enjoy fresh air and respite away from hospital
-
£1000 –
Prostate Cancer UK
Helping to discover lifesaving new drugs to treat this disease.
-
£1000 –
The Spinal Injuries Association
A user-lead, national charity, providing support and information for the Spinal Chord
Injured Community.
 In
addition to these donations, a further £2,700 was raised at the show on the Macmillan Nurses
Run, making a grand total of £11,700.00.
We are only
able to donate these amounts through the help of all the volunteers that offer their services
free of charge, our generous sponsors and of course all the competitors entering the show. I
would like to offer my personal thanks to all our helpers in 2012. This was our best year for
help and support, and we could not do it without you.
2013 news
There will be a few changes for 2013, but we will keep you up to date on the website. The
first and biggest change is that hard copy schedules will NOT be posted out to last year's
competitors due to the increase in postal costs – and, people telling us no one reads it!
Together with
the DINAS Committee, I wish you a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you all at Trinity
Park, Ipswich in 2013.
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