If you love spring flowers and would like to help raise money for a national charity training dogs for people with disabilities, then Canine Partners’ Bluebell Walk at Lepe Country Park on Sunday 15 April is ideal.

The walk takes place through fantastic scenery in the south-eastern corner of the New Forest Country Park. There will be two route choices, one of 40 minutes and the other 15 minutes. Dogs are welcome on a lead and the route is wheelchair/buggy friendly. The meeting point is at the end of the park in the BBQ area.

The fundraising event is part of the Charity’s national Bluebell Walk Campaign, which has raised over £100,000 in the past eight years. All funds raised from this walk will help the Charity to train more assistance dogs to transform the lives of people with disabilities, including wounded servicemen and women in conjunction with Help for Heroes.

Walk organiser Ali Bailey comments, “Our route takes in fantastic views of the Solent and Isle of Wight. We encourage people from the local area to join us for a fun day out for all the family, whilst raising funds for Canine Partners and the work it does to help people with disabilities in the local area.”

Cathie Morris from Fawley has spina bifida and graduated with canine partner Gatsby in 2009. Cathie says: “Gatsby helps me in so many practical ways, from the moment I get up. He helps me to get dressed, strip the bed and get the laundry in and out of the washing machine. He will open and close doors, turn lights on and off and help to get ingredients out of the cupboard. The list of things he can do is endless, but the emotional difference he has brought is immeasurable.”

To take part contact 02380 897139. Entry is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children under 12 including a BBQ. Walkers only pay £1. For further information on Canine Partners visit www.caninepartners.org.uk.