2:20pm Sunday 31st August 2008
FRIENDS of MOVE - Hampshire' is organising a family pet show at the Alresford Agricultural Show, Tichborne Park on Saturday, September 6.
All money raised at the pet show will help enhance the mobility skills of local children with severe and complex disabilities.
Situated near to the Young Farmers' Stand, the pet show is open to all and expects to attract birds, rodents, reptiles, insects, cats and dogs.
There will be five classes of the competition with the pet of the show award being selected from the other previous four categories: The best groomed pet - 11.30am.
Best decorated pet and owner - 12.15pm.
The naughtiest pet - 1.30pm.
The most unusual pet - 2.45pm.
Pet of the show - judging throughout the afternoon, the winner will be declared at 3.45pm.
The stand's activities will also include a dog agility course and an art competition.
Entrants for the latter will be divided into three age groups, 11 - 14 years, six -10 years and under six years. Competitors should paint or draw their favourite animal or pet with a caption explaining in up to eight words why they like it best; entries close at 3pm. Prizes donated by the Pottery Café, Winchester.
The organisers are also offering a supervised pet crèche to entrants of the pet show.
As long as a pet has been registered for at least one class, it may be left suitably housed with adequate food and water in the pet show tent for a nominal fee, enabling its owner to enjoy the wider show's attractions.
Money raised by the family pet show will go to benefit local children on the MOVE programme who are among the most severely disabled children in Hampshire.
Peter Holland, chief executive of MOVE Europe, said: "There are around 110,000 severely disabled children in the UK of whom approximately 2,000 are in Hampshire.
"For these youngsters even basic actions, like giving a parent a hug, going to the bathroom unaided or just holding up one's head to look out of the window, are difficult.
"The MOVE programme is a unique combination of education and therapy that gives these children the opportunity to achieve and build on basic movements.
"Recently, the efforts of our fundraising team in Hampshire has enabled us to provide free training in the MOVE programme for around 100 carers, physios, therapists, special needs teachers and parents across the county thereby enhancing the lives of local youngsters.
"I am delighted that the organisers of the Alresford Show have recognised the importance of MOVE locally and we are especially pleased to be able to support the agricultural show for the second year running."
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