A retired couple from Oldham who have fostered 41 dogs for charity over the past five years are backing an urgent appeal encouraging others to do the same
When dog-lovers Phil and Elizabeth Ashton, from Delph in Oldham, called it a day on their careers to begin their lives of well-earned retirement, the pair decided they wanted to something to help – and so they chose to become foster carers for Dogs Trust back in 2018.
Since then, the couple have gone on to foster 41 dogs for the charity.
“We both absolutely adore dogs,” Elizabeth explained.
“We had one many years ago, but when we were both working, it wasn’t fair to have one, so when we retired, we wanted to do something to help dogs in need and decided fostering was ideal for us.
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“We have looked after Chow Chow puppies, a beautiful German Shepherd with separation anxiety, a 13-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier and many, many more. It’s the perfect scenario as we get to have a dog, or dogs, in our life but also know we are helping dogs that really need it.
“We can take a break whenever we want but we love it, which is why we’ve looked after so many.”
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Dogs Trust fosterers form part of the ‘Home From Home’ scheme – which was launched in Manchester back in 2016 – and play a huge role in giving the dog welfare charity’s four-legged friends a second chance at a loving life by offering valuable home experience and getting to know “what makes them tick” so they can eventually find their forever home when the time is right.
Fosterers are tasked with feeding-back to the charity on everything from what their dogs’ favourite toys and treats are, to the kinds of walks they enjoy and where they like to sleep.
Since the scheme was launched at Dogs Trust Manchester, more than 900 dogs have been cared for by fosterers across the region.
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Currently, the ‘Home From Home’ scheme in Greater Manchester has 41 foster carers.
But with a waiting list of dogs needing to come into Dogs Trust, the charity has now issued an urgent appeal for more fosterers, and is asking local dog lovers across the region to get in touch as soon as possible and welcome a dog into their life temporarily.
Dogs Trust Manchester says it’s facing a record numbers of enquiries, so they’re looking to foster carers to provide a temporary home for dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes who “have nowhere else to turn”.
“We are facing a crisis as our kennel space is really stretched, but we need to act now to be there for as many dogs as possible,” admitted Tracey Hill, co-ordinator of the Home from Home fostering scheme at Dogs Trust Manchester.
“Fostering a dog is a great opportunity for dog lovers who are currently unable to have a dog of their own.
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“We cover the essential costs, and you’ll be playing the most important role, giving stability, love and care to a dog in need as you prepare them for life in their forever home.”
Dogs Trust Manchester says it would be particularly keen to hear from people able to foster larger dogs, puppies, or pairs of dogs looking for a home together, so if you would like to apply to become a volunteer foster carer, then head on over to dogstrust.org.uk/foster or call 020 7837 0006.
Featured Image – Dogs Trust Manchester
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Marcus Rashford pays heartwarming surprise visit to Manchester school
Danny Jones
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford is backing warming hearts and bringing smiles to young faces once again after he paid a surprise visit to a local school.
The Man United forward and England international emerged as a national hero during the lockdown through his support for the free school meals campaign, even earning an MBE for his services to charity, and has continued to offer his services outside of football ever since.
Club members regularly engage in community outreach through official United Foundation events, but this time Rashford decided to team up with fellow non-profit Football Beyond Borders (FBB) – an education and social inclusion charity he’s worked with for some time – to make some kids very happy.
During a recent session at The Barlow RC High School in Didsbury, children in the classroom were caught off-guard when the 27-year-old footballer popped his head around the door and came to sit in on a session. Here’s their reaction.
Just look at their faces – we’ll never get over the wide-eyed stares clips like produce. The week in and week out of actual game day aside, this is what football’s all about.
Although one particular pupil had sniffed a surprise in their midst, excitedly repeating, “I told you, what did I say?!”, it’s fair to say that the entire room was still stunned to see the United number 10 just casually walk into the room.
We especially like the moment when Rashford sits down next to one of the unsuspecting students and can’t stop double-taking to his friend, all the while grinning his head off – well, him and everyone else in attendance at the school for the surprise visit, adults included.
Taking place before this past weekend’s Premier League fixtures, the Wythenshawe winger then proceeds to join the aspiring young players out on the school pitch along with the other FBB ambassadors, who recently celebrated 10 years of vital work,
Naturally, the responses underneath videos have been as equally wholesome as you would expect; one person commented, “Forget the football, Marcus Rashford is a top, top man. Nothing but respect”, while another said, “I respect the leadership and the guy really cares. Rare…”
A third went on to write: “A very grounded footballer. Remembers and knows what it’s like to be at the bottom and work your way up. Has done more for people in this country than people running this country! Respect.”
While his performances may not have been their best, both in his eyes and that of the fans at this present moment, many more simply went on to add that it “was nice to see him smiling” and when you’re doing important and inspiring work like this in your hometown, you can only admire and applaud.
As is the nature of the beautiful game, the goals will no doubt start flowing again eventually but in the meantime, well done to Rashford for continuing to be a legend on and off the pitch.
Chester Zoo opens new ‘cutting-edge’ science centre to help fight global extinction crisis
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo has opened a new science centre which is set to play a “significant role” in the conservation of the world’s most-threatened species.
The new cutting-edge facility, formally named the International Centre for Zoo Science, will enable researchers to study some of species most at-threat across the globe, as well as support conservationists and scientists to fight the ongoing global extinction crisis.
The specialised centre is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to assess the health of plants and animals, Chester Zoo has revealed.
Inside is a demonstration lab to help train future conservationists, as well as a special cryo-conservation unit where genetics from endangered species will be preserved in liquid nitrogen at -196°C, and the new facility also houses Europe’s largest dedicated wildlife endocrinology lab, giving scientists the chance to study and track hormone levels in animals to further understand their reproductive biology.
Chester Zoo has opened a new ‘cutting-edge’ science centre to help fight the global extinction crisis / Credit: Chester Zoo
In case you didn’t know, Chester Zoo is already at the forefront of vital research to protect a wide range of different species from extinction, with it being home to 37,000 animals from more than 500 species – but this new centre will take things one step further.
Scientists at the UK’s biggest charity zoo say the new centre – which is triple the size of the zoo’s previous lab facilities – will enable them to attempt to “unlock the secrets” of different species which have, so far, remained “unstudied” and a therefore a “mystery to science”.
It will also help the zoo significantly expand its scientific capacity, and boost its conservation training programme.
“Our new International Centre for Zoo Science will help us to play an even more significant role in the conservation of some of the world’s most endangered species,” explained Dr Sue Walker, who is the Head of Science at Chester Zoo.
“At a time when species face extinction on an unimaginable scale, we’re already making a substantial contribution to the task of preventing extinction and restoring biodiversity… and now our new science centre will enable us to grow our research, not only in wildlife reproduction, but also in terms of innovating within our other areas of expertise.”
Dr Walker added that this will also be the first time the Zoo is able to accommodate training courses for visiting researchers from all over the world.