03/09/2024
Record Funds Raised by Paws in the Park Bracknell
What another amazing fun-packed day we all had at Paws in the Park Bracknell on Saturday 31st August 2024. We estimate that more than 3,000 visitors came along to North Field at South Hill Park to enjoy five hours of a fun dog show, shopping, have-a-go dog sports and expert displays. And to top all that, we also raised a record £4000 to support dog charities. Here’s how the fun unfolded…
The skies may have been a little grey this year, but the rain held off and it was perfect conditions for the canine athletes to show off their sporting prowess! All the competitions were hotly contested, and the buzzing showground was a wonderful sight with the huge range of dog breeds, ages, sizes and backgrounds taking part.
Paws in the Park Bracknell has always held the ethos of being an inclusive community event, run for the benefit of the local dog owning community and with all proceeds raised going directly to dog charities. This year was no different and Click-2-Heel is really proud to organise and host this inspirational event.
In the main ring, spectators were treated to expert demonstrations of impressive dog sports; Click-2-Heel showcased Hoopers, Scent Dog Training staged displays of scent matching and scent detection, whilst Look and Lead presented Gun Dogs in action with retrieves, quartering and directional work.
In between the displays, the visiting dogs were involved in fierce competitions to find the Best Treat Catcher, Cutest Puppy, Best Rescue, Prettiest Bitch, Most Handsome Dog, Waggiest Tail and the dog with the Most Appealing Eyes. The judges had a tough job, with so much beauty and skill on show. The winners were:
Best Treat Catcher: Benny the Cockapoo
Cutest Puppy: Bailey the Newfoundland x Retriever
Best Rescue (and Best in Show): Bella the Pug Cross
Prettiest Bitch: Ginger the Golden Retriever
Most Handsome Dog (and Reserve Best in Show): Bingley the Jack Russell Cross
Waggiest Tail: Shaggy the Sprocker Spaniel
Most Appealing Eyes: Sadie the Lagotto x Spaniel
The overall Best in Show rosette went to Best Rescue winner Bella the Pug Cross. Bella is thought to be about 11 years old. Her human handler Anne tells us that Bella was in a rescue centre and then foster home until Anne adopted her from Many Tears Animal Rescue. Bella had already undergone several medical procedures including a knee operation and must have been over the moon to find Anne as her new forever person. And Anne is really grateful to Bella too. Having lost her previous dog just a week earlier, Bella has helped Anne through the grieving process. Congratulations to Anne and Bella for winning Best in Show 2024.
Around the showground there were a myriad of stalls offering everything from dog beds to dog food, 3D-printed model dogs to grooming products and the best in local street food. Dogs were splashing in the paddling pools and taking part in have-a-go activities including scentwork, hoopers, a fastest-recall competition and a fastest scurry run over the hay bales competition.
The top three dogs for the fastest recall were Maple the Labrador, Tato the Labrador and (the appropriately named!) Turbo the Lurcher. All running the course in just under 3 seconds these really were sprinters that meant business. Congratulations!
The top three dogs for the fastest scurry run over the hay bales were Eris the Mali (5.7 seconds), Eve the Shepherd Cross (6.2 seconds) and Rupert the Staffy (6.5 seconds). Another trio of amazing canine athletes – well done!
With a larger main ring, more than 60 stalls for visitors to explore, and a massive £4000 raised for our dog charities, this is the biggest show we’ve ever held. And it wouldn’t be possible without the help of our many kind volunteers and generous sponsors. Thank you to all the stallholders for supporting our event. Thank you to Duncan Yeardley Estate Agent, Mulberry House Vets, A1 Group, AH Home Improvement, Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre, Bracknell Forest Council and Bracknell Town Council for your generous contributions. Thank you as well to all the wonderful people who gave up their time to arrange the event and who worked tirelessly throughout the day to make the show run smoothly.
Most importantly, thank you to the dog-owning community of Bracknell Forest for coming along once again to support the event. We hope you all enjoyed the day and we can’t wait to see you all again next year!
All proceeds from the event are donated to animal charities. We’re delighted to confirm that the funds raised this year were a massive £4000. Half of the proceeds go to Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre whose team helped to run the show, with the remainder split equally between Doris Banham Dog Rescue and Therapy Dogs Nationwide (Bracknell Branch). We’re proud to support the amazing work you all do. Roll on 2025!
