A Lottery winner from Derry has donated some of her winnings to help keep some assistance dogs fed and happy into the new year.
Sharin McCourt decided to donate much-needed bags of food to charity to Assistance Dogs NI (ADNI), after winning £250,000 on a scratchcard.
She praised the charity, which trains dogs to be placed with disabled children in homes across the north.
“The work that ADNI does is truly remarkable,” Sharin said.
“The dogs provide essential care for the children they are placed with but also an unstinting loyalty and friendship that improves the lives of the kids and their families.
“I am honored to have helped out and to have met some of these incredible dogs.”
While visiting ADNI Sharin met trainees Dottie and Dixie, two 12-week old Labradors, as well as black Labrador Costa, who has saved the life of the autistic boy he now lives with three times.
Costa, who is a year and half, has lived with Castlerock boy Henry (11) since last September. Henry’s mother, Barbara Smyth, said that Costa has saved Henry’s life on three different occasions.
“He’s our hero and we couldn’t love him anymore or pour enough praise on the work that ADNI does for families like us,” she said.
“We would like to thank them and to pay tribute to Costa who is a real Christmas miracle to us”.
Assistance Dogs Northern Ireland also received £697,825 from the Big Lottery Fund for their five-year ‘Supporting Children, Supporting Families’ programme.
ADNI Press Officer Helen McKenna said that the funding allowed the charity to recruit more personnel and train more dogs.
“Our aim is to train assistance dogs to improve the quality of life for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and for people who have a mobility disability,” she said.
“We would also like to pay tribute to our volunteers whose continuing dedication helps us to make a difference in many people’s lives across the country”.
To find out more about Assistance Dogs NI please visit www.adni.org.uk, email info@adni.org.uk or call 028 9029 7880.
