Urgent appeal for dog costumes

SUE Ryder Care is a leading provider of palliative, neurological care and homecare, dedicated to helping people get the best from life. We care for people with complex illnesses and conditions including cancer, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson s dise

SUE Ryder Care is a leading provider of palliative, neurological care and homecare, dedicated to helping people get the best from life. We care for people with complex illnesses and conditions including cancer, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and motor neurone disease, Huntington's disease, brain injury and dementia.

Last year Sue Ryder Care's hospice based in Peterborough held a 'Human Dog Race' at Peterborough Greyhound Stadium to raise funds for the charity. The day consisted of companies entering teams to race dressed as novelty dogs. The teams raised sponsorship money, and spectators could place bets on the races.

The event was a success. However, the cost of costumes made the cost of the event quite high, which we are looking to avoid this year.

We have the opportunity to raise more than £5,000 and run the races in front of more than 2,000 people. But if we can not acquire the dog costumes free of charge, we will not be able to run the event.

Sue Ryder Care would like to ask theatre groups, costume makers, costume sellers, costume hire shops or anybody who has a dog costume for help.

We are looking for dog costumes for the event, anything from old costumes, or damaged costumes that we could fix up that are no longer used to brand new ones that you would be willing to donate to the charity to be used for this event. In return, we would be happy to promote the generosity of companies or organisation at the event and on promotional literature.

EMMA LONG

Sue Ryder Care

Thorpe Hall Hospice

Thorpe Road

Peterborough