AFTER raising the sum of £1,230 for local charities, Garston Veterinary Group are also celebrating winning one of the show’s coveted awards at The Frome Cheese Show – ‘Best Open Trade Stand 2017.’
The fun-filled day proved a great community success with Garston Vets hosting two of the busiest stands, a mix of family fun, competitions and pet health, as well as farm advice and fund raising for notable local causes.
Sarah Holmes from Garston Vets said, “We always have such a great day at Frome Show, our staff work tirelessly to provide a fun and hospitable tent whilst always raising as much money as we possibly can for charity.
“The main trade stand catered for all ages and interests including a tombola with prizes for pet and humans, face painting and ‘love island festival face glitter’ and the ever-popular refreshments. To find out that we had won best trade stand really was the icing on the cake!”
Garston Vets has decided to split the proceeds taken on the day, which totalled £1,230, between two main beneficiaries – Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. “This year we really wanted to choose charities that anyone visiting our tent would be more than happy to support, even if they were not animal lovers,” explained Sarah.
Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and Wiltshire Air Ambulance have expressed their gratitude for the donation, saying that as they receive no direct funding from the Government or National Lottery, events such as this are essential in contributing towards their operational costs.
On the day and for the first year, Garston Vets in association with ‘Charismatic Pets,’ ran an entertaining family dog show an event which has become a major attraction itself.
Charis from Charismatic Pets, who helped run the individual classes said, “My colleague, Leanne, and myself had a such a great day and really enjoyed meeting so many lovely dogs. With owners entering their dogs for classes such as best looking, best rescue dog and the popular best sausage it was chaotic but great fun! That’s what owning a dog is all about, spending time together with friends, we are really looking forward to next year.”
Frome Cheese Show manager, Amelia Coates said, “We’re always looking for ways to make Frome Cheese Show even more of a fun-filled day out for our visitors and this year incorporated lots of new attractions alongside the traditional favourites. We were thrilled to have Garston Veterinary Group join us, not only as a generous show sponsor, but also as organisers of our new family dog show which was a huge success! Frome Show is always filled with lovely four legged companions and it was wonderful to have an arena in which to show them all off!
“Garston put on such a wonderful display, not just in the arena, but also at their trade stand, that it was not surprising our judges selected them to win the 2017 Open Trade Stand award. We were so pleased to hear how much they raised for the Wiltshire and Dorset/Somerset Air Ambulance organisations through the activities on their stand and of course the dog show – we can’t wait to work with them again next year!”
Above: Sarah Holmes (holding trophy) Hollie Perryman (Wiltshire Air Ambulance) and Jeanne (Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance).
