A dog charity in Upton has been nominated for a national award.
Northern Howls Fundraisers raises money for sled dog rescues across the UK and abroad.
Last week the family-run charity was nominated for an Animal Star Award by an anonymous supporter.
And it has since been confirmed that Northern Howls Fundraisers has made it to the final for the Animal Hero of the Year award.
Tara Wilcox, who runs the charity, said: “We’ve been raising funds for pups in need since our husky Saffyre sadly passed away from a nasty seizure in November 2018.
“Saffyre is now the story behind and face of the charity after she saved my life in 2012 from a nasty illness.
“Since 2019, we have donated over £28,000 to sled dog rescues. We are official supporters of six rescues currently, with more soon to be added to our fundraising mission as we continue to raise those vital funds and help educate people on these incredible, misunderstood breeds.
“The Animal Star Awards evening takes place in November this year and we are so excited to be there along with many amazing charities, animal businesses, and other like-minded people who follow their passion to make a difference in the world we live in.
“We are a team of six which includes myself, my husband Craig, our grandson Taihler, who has been fundraising for the dogs since he was two years old, and our two rescue mascots Kibou and Freedom.
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“We also have our angel in the sky Saffyre, who guides us daily from beyond the mountains where the lights touch the earth. She guides us to make a difference, to help make change for the world of sled dogs.”
Tara said the charity is grateful to the supporter who decided to nominate them for the award.
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“We’d also like to say thanks to Animal Star Awards and the judges for reading our story and placing us in the final and to all our supporters who continue to support us.
“Together we can change the lives of so many sled dogs by educating people about them and rehoming the abandoned, neglected and mistreated.
“Sled dogs have given so much to the human race over many, many years. They are an incredible breed, they have traits which are very close to that of wolves and like wolves they too are such a beautiful, mystical species.”
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