A CHARITY which aims to help disabled servicemen and women has thanked a Winchester hotel for hosting a recent conference.

Hounds for Heroes gathered at the Holiday Inn at Morn Hill to host a training session for injured and disabled men and women from the armed forces and civilian emergency services as well as their canine counterparts.

Those travelling from faraway were put up for free by the hotel.

Allen Parton, Hounds for Heroes vice-chairman and founder, said: “As Hounds for Heroes steadily grows and develops, successfully creating more working partnerships between the dogs and their human partners, there is a natural requirement to be more effective, do things better each time and work more professionally. Once again Hounds for Heroes was very privileged to have the opportunity to work again with the Holiday Inn Winchester team during our recent two week residential course. Our ethos to do things better is certainly one that the staff at the Holiday Inn Winchester embrace with such enthusiasm, with solutions not problems the game plan.

“It is always a worry when the disabled client is away from their comfort zone and familiar surroundings. It is good that the Holiday Inn Winchester really is a home away from home for them, so much so we have an issue trying to get our clients to leave the hotel at the end of the training. The success of our training sessions would not be possible if it was not for the professionalism and dedication of the staff at the hotel and all of us at Hounds for Heroes are proud to work alongside the Holiday Inn Winchester team, who did an excellent job in looking after everyone.”

Sarah Waddington, sales and marketing manager for the Holiday Inn Winchester, added: “It was wonderful hosting the Hounds for Heroes veterans and their assistance dogs. The staff and our hotel visitors really enjoy seeing the veterans and their dogs in training around the hotel during their two week stay and we really miss them when they have gone. We really enjoy this link with Hounds for Heroes and it is good to be in a position where we can sponsor the charity with positive practical support.”