Labradoodle Freddie joined Lincoln College Group (LCG) as a faculty dog from the Autism Dogs CIC charity late last year. Since then, he has trained to become a fully-fledged therapy dog, qualifying just last week.
Freddie recently met the stars of new tv sitcom Newark, Newark - Mathew Horne, Morgana Robinson and Nina Wadia, who were bowled over with his fundraising efforts to help Max get his own therapy dog.
Max has autism and requires an Assistance Dog for therapeutic support for his anxiety. He has been matched with an Italian Spinone called Harry, who was originally fostered by LCG, but further fundraising is necessary as the dogs cost thousands of pounds.
To give a helping paw, Freddie has released a calendar with all proceeds going towards Max’s cause.
The celebrities were moved by the story, particularly Mathew who is an ambassador for Mencap and whose brother has autism. They signed three copies of the calendar and posed for photos to help raise awareness of the work LCG are doing to support Autism Dogs CIC and to encourage sales of Freddie’s calendar for Max and Harry.
One of the signed calendars will be gifted to Max and his family, while the other two are up for grabs for two lucky members of the public. Interested parties are invited to bid to get their hands on one via silent auction.
Charlotte McHugh, Head of Student Services and Supported Education at Lincoln College, looks after Freddie. She said “Freddie is a star; he’s worked so hard over the last year to become a qualified therapy dog. We’re delighted to have him as part of the Lincoln College family and it’s really special to see the impact he has on the mental health and wellbeing of our learners.
“The work that we are doing with Autism Dogs CIC is a unique project. We are supporting the charity by fostering dogs to socialise them and give them the very best start on their journey to become an assistance dog. To get the endorsement of popular celebrities is really exciting and we hope it helps Max and his family reach their fundraising goal.”
If you would like to bid on a Freddie calendar signed by Mathew Horne (Gavin from Gavin and Stacey), Morgana Robinson (Pippa Middleton from The Windsors) and Nina Wadia (Eastenders and Goodness Gracious Me), please send your proposed donation amount to Charlotte at cmchugh@lincolncollege.ac.uk.
Unsigned copies of the calendar are also available to purchase from reception at both Lincoln and Newark College and cost £5 each.
For more information about Autism Dogs CIC and the work they do, click here.
To find out more about Max and his family’s fundraising journey, click here.
