A SPECIAL church service is to be held in Redditch – for the charity Guide Dogs.
Organised by local fundraisers Heath and Hazel Tattersall, everyone – including their dogs – is invited to the service which will be held at 3pm in St Stephen’s Church in the town centre on Sunday, October 7.
“It’s during Guide Dog Week and we decided to do something completely different,” said Hazel.
“The aim is simply to raise awareness off Guide Dogs and we thought it would be a good idea to give people the opportunity to say thank you.”
Town centre chaplain and vicar of St Stephens the Rev Paul Lawlor will preside at the service which will include poetry and a special talk entitled ‘How falling in love is like owning a Guide Dog’.
It’s a subject that Heath and Hazel, from Matchborough, know all about.
They act as puppy walkers and boarders for the charity and their own dog Bubbles works as a fundraiser for it.
Just three years old, she’s more than happy to be petted by children and adults alike, and is also a donor to the pet blood bank.
Families can visit her in person when she helps staff a stand for Guide Dogs in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre the day before on Saturday, October 6.
“The service isn’t about raising money, but raising awareness and we want as many people as possible to go along,” said Hazel.
“The Rev Lawlor has also allowed us to take over their cafe so there will be refreshments too.”
