The Community Foundation offers a tax-efficient vehicle for local giving, setting up named funds which operate like personal charitable trusts, at far less cost than a stand-alone charity. The Neil Murphy Animal Welfare Fund is one of these funds.
The Neil Murphy Animal Welfare Fund has worked for a number of years to support animal welfare projects in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and was set up by Helen Murphy in memory of her late husband, Neil.
In August 2014 The Neil Murphy Animal Welfare Fund awarded £5,000 to Canine Partners, a charity who works to train puppies to become assistance dogs for disabled people. The £5,000 is being used to train puppy Murphy, a male yellow Labrador born in June 2014, to transform the life of someone with a disability.
Assistance dogs enable disabled people to enjoy greater independence and a better quality of life. They are trained to help with everyday tasks such as opening and closing doors, picking up dropped items, loading and unloading the washing machine, pressing buttons, dressing and undressing and getting help in an emergency. They also provide companionship, security, routine and a reason to get up in the morning.
This month we received an update from Canine Partners on Murphy’s progress:
“Murphy is now nine months old and is a happy, sociable and outgoing puppy who is learning new things every day. He is being introduced to a variety of experiences including going on the bus in Glastonbury and going in a lift in the car park. He copes very well with new environments and is a joy to have around.
Murphy is also doing well at puppy classes. His playful character is very lovable and he is now working on concentrating and not getting distracted.”
Please do pass on our thanks again to Helen for sponsoring Murphy through his training, it really is appreciated.”
If you would like to set up your own fund that works to support charities and groups in the local community, contact Katy Green, Chief Executive at Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation: katy.green@llrcommunityfoundation.org.uk & 0116 2624 804.
