LOCAL fundraising group, the Bowerhill Barkers, are celebrating raising over £10,000 in their first year.
The group is aiming to raise £55,000 – the lifetime cost of a guide dog – to enable them to name and sponsor a guide dog.
Since being launched in May last year, the team has hosted a number of events, held online auctions, and made numerous appearances at local events and around the town, collecting money for their cause.
Group member Caroline Fielding told Melksham News, “Local people have been amazing in their generosity and support of us! We are absolutely ecstatic to have passed the £10,000 mark.
“What we have achieved in our first year is incredible, especially considering that we had no real idea what we were doing. At this rate it will take us about five years to achieve our goal of raising enough money to sponsor a guide dog. But we will work hard to reach our target earlier, and we hope to do even better in our second year.”
Plans for future fundraising events are already under way, and the group is looking for volunteers to join them. Caroline said, “We have two events planned so far this year – starting with a coffee and cake morning at Bowerhill Village Hall on Saturday 13th July from 10am-1pm. A dog show will also be held at The White Hart in Atworth on Saturday 3rd August – Asda and The White Hart are supporting us with this event.
“In addition, watch out for us shaking buckets around town and at other events.
“If anyone has an hour or two to spare and wants to volunteer to shake buckets with us, email: contact@bowerhillbarkers .co.uk. As well as raising money at events around Melksham, we also visit Marlborough, Devizes and Bradford on Avon.
“It’s very rewarding and you get to meet lots of amazing people who want to share their stories with you. It’s an excellent way of getting out of the house and socialising.”
Above: The Bowerhill Barkers shaking their buckets in Melksham’s town centre last year.
