Dear Greyhound rescuers, owners and supporters, We have some very exciting news to tell you about, and we are also seeking your involvement and support... The Greyhound Sanctuary (registered charity no. 1119131) have applied to the Guinness Book of World Records to attempt to break the current world record for the Largest Dog Walk (single breed), currently held by Andrex with 700 Labradors. We aim to gather 1000+ greyhounds from all over the UK and become the new world record holders. We are hoping that by breaking a world record we can gain national media attention to highlight the need to bring an end to the cruel treatment of greyhounds and lurchers and help to rehome those currently in kennels across the country.The record takes the form of a 3 mile walk and only greyhounds can be counted. The event will take place at Escot Park in Devon where there are acres of space and excellent facilities and travel links.We will be using this event as a large scale fundraiser by charging an entry fee, asking people to get sponsored for the walk, taking donations on the day, advertising on the website and in the event programme, offering trade stands and (hopefully) obtaining a big brand name to sponsor the whole event.People taking part in the sponsored walk will be donating their sponsorship money directly to their chosen charity and funds collected on the day of the event will be shared among various greyhound rescue charities throughout the UK.The Greyhound Sanctuary is a very small charity based in Devon and we couldn't possibly do this on our own. This is why we are asking for your help, along with as many other rescue charities as we can find. We would love your help to unite all the charities as one powerful force to publicise this event all over the country.There are many ways that we can work together in order to make this event a huge success! Spreading the word - Telling everyone about this event on your website, emails, twitter, facebook and local press. Set up a stand at the event and inform people about what you do. Gathering together - Bring as many greyhounds as possible to beat the record. Tell other owners and supporters to come along and join us. Every greyhound that comes is one step closer to the record. Raising Money - Ask people to do a sponsored walk for your charity, enter the walk and invite sponsors and advertisers to donate in exchange for advertising. Volunteer - We need as many helpers as possible so contact us to find out how you can help out. Have Fun - Come along and meet like minded people and dogs. Enjoy a great walk and a really fun day for a grey't cause. Please visit our dedicated website www.greyhoundworldrecord.com to find out more. The website is not 100% finished and will be updated throughout the coming weeks and months. We would love you to feature on the website as one of the charities involved so that we can show people just how much support there is out there.This is an initial email to inform you of our plans and ask for your help and support, and we hope that you will be as inspired as we are to get behind this campaign and really make it a big success.It would be great if you could get in touch and let us know if you would like to be a part of this event. You can reply directly to this email and also follow us on twitter.We look forward to hearing from you and working together as one. Many Thanks Sally Slater founder of The Greyhound Sanctuary, and the 1000 Greyhounds Team.

KIRKGUNZEON PRIMARY SCHOOL On Wednesday 1st February, Graham attended Kirkgunzeon Primary School at the invitation of their headmaster David Stephens, to show a greyhound to P4 to P7 pupils. The class were reading a fictional book on a rescued greyhound and David thought it would be good for the pupils to see a “real, live” greyhound. Poppy was chosen from Graham’s pack and although “booked” for 30 minutes, it was well over an hour before the pupils would let Poppy go.  In fact, Poppy was introduced to the P1 to P3 pupils as well.  Whilst not really a “promotional” talk, the boys and girls were really taken with Poppy especially as she did the usual greyhound thing and lay down and went to sleep!!  Graham was encouraged by the knowledge the children had of greyhounds from reading the book and you never know in a good few years time, they may remember Poppy and the visit and consider a greyhound for a pet themselves!

SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY DONATION A big thanks from all at DCGR to Senga Maxwell from Dumfries who instead of accepting presents for her birthday, asked for donations for Greyhound Rescue. As a result, £150 was raised and the cash was handed in to our Charity Shop in Lockerbie during the week.  Thanks Senga for thinking of us and thanks to your friends and relatives for being so generous.

BARONY COLLEGE TALK ON GREYHOUND RESCUE On Tuesday 17th January, Graham along with Poppy, Molly and Cruise attended at the Barony College near Dumfries to talk to the students about Greyhound Rescue. For about an hour, Graham extolled the virtues of DCGR and the service we provide to unwanted ex-racing greyhounds.  When he mentioned that we had now re-homed 762 there were gasps from the audience. At the end of the presentation, Graham brought in the dogs and they wandered about as if they owned the place and as as usual, loved being petted and stroked. This is an annual talk at the Barony and we are indebted to Julie McMorran (a member of DCGR) from the college, who arranges the visit and assists us to promote greyhounds as family pets. A donation is winging it's way from the college as we speak.  The picture shows Graham and Margaret's new dog Cruise (a cross Greyhound Saluki) with some of the students.

DONATIONS TO DCGR  We are indebted to Dora Sweetman, Lakeland, Land o Burns Canine Club and Kelly Macari/Peter Ancell for donations of over £1000 to DCGR in the first few weeks of this year alone.  Dora (a member) gave us a 10th birthday cash donation. Wendy and Mike Hassam (owner of Blue who won Champion of Champions at the “Big Show”) arranged for a donation from Lakeland’s charity committee and the Kilmarnock based Canine Club gave us a donation from their fundraising. The humorous one is described below and was featured in the Whitehaven News.   Champion greyhound Mill Bling Bling helped with the official ribbon cutting of the refurbished Ladbrokes Betting Shop on Cleator Moor. Trained by Kelly Macari, Mill Bling Bling is part owned by Cleator Moor’s Peter Ancell, along with two others from Carlisle and Sunderland. The youngster has had a superb year under the guidance of Kelly, winning the Steel City Cup, All England Cup and Eclipse Category One races, racking up around £26,000 in prize money. The greyhound, along with Kelly, made the two and a half hour journey over to Cleator Moor last Friday to help open the newly re-vamped Ladbrokes betting shop. Peter Ancell joined Kelly in the shop, along with staff, customers and Jenny Bragg, from the Dumfriesshire and Cumbria Greyhound Rescue Centre with her retired greyhound, Kevin. (Mocara) As a thank you, Ladbrokes gave Kelly a £100 charity bet, with all winnings going to DCGR. Well knock us down with a feather us down did the bet not come up as Kelly picked the winning dog which won and earned £350 for the charity. Well done everyone!