Southwold dog show aiming to raise money for aid in Ukraine

Dogs and their owners have been battling it out to win awards at an event to raise money for Ukraine.

The Fun Dog Show and Mini Fete for Ukraine was held in Southwold in Suffolk on Saturday.

Fundraising will be used to equip and transport former NHS vehicles that are filled with medical essentials.

Richard Curtis, screenwriter and film producer, said: “It is for such an excellent cause, and you think of those people’s lives which are unbelievably hard.”

In 2024, Help2Ukraine Suffolk had fundraised for four ambulances, and a tonne of medical supplies, to be delivered to Lviv.

This year, dogs at the event at Southwold Common put on their best behaviour as they battled it out to be the winners of many different categories to raise money.

Dr Jane Miller, the organiser of the event, said: “It is going to be that every penny counts, and everything goes towards an ex-NHS ambulance.”

“It is amazing how everyone has rallied around in this community,” she added.

Celebrities Emma Freud and Richard Curtis were part of the judging line-up.

Freud said: “I think it is fantastic to do an event for Ukraine as it is so easy for huge disasters in the world to slip from the front consciousness.”

Abigail Smith and her golden retriever Buddy, who is turning 15 years old this August, were the winners of the golden oldie category.

Ms Smith, who is from Ongar in Essex, said: “We are very proud of him and as you can see, he is very proud too.”