A NUMBER of four-legged friends took part in a sponsored lie down to help a charity which trains dogs to help injured service personnel.

Twenty dogs from the North Worcestershire Dog Training Club were instructed to lie down to raise cash for Hounds for Heroes, who aim to provide dogs for military and emergency services personnel injured in the line of duty.

Their efforts ranged from a few minutes to half an hour, gathering £1,030 in the process, which will go towards offering help and practical support leading to an enhanced quality of life for the charity’s clients.

Staff at the Army Recruitment Office in Foregate Street, Worcester, were presented with the cheque.

Club member Martin Lilwall said: “We are really pleased. I was amazed because I didn’t think we would get to a thousand pounds. The charity has done really well – they initially wanted to raise money for six dogs to help injured service personnel in their homes. I think they are well beyond that.”

He said the army recruitment staff were grateful for the donation. “It helps their guys who are injured.”

The charity carefully selects dogs for all the qualities needed to produce excellent assistance dogs before they are put through various different levels of training so can carry out actions such as opening doors and picking up items as well as providing companionship.

For more information about the club, call Rita on 01905 451439.