ALTRINCHAM ladies are putting their planning skills to charitable use, helping rescue pooches at a ‘cage-free’ dog sanctuary.

Kate Hammond and Angela Parsonage, from Altrincham, along with Judith Collinson, from Irlam, have come together to raise awareness and funds for Dogs 4 Rescue (D4R).

They joined forces with the Irlam-based no kill, no cage organisation, to become the D4R Events Team.

Kate said: “We are a nation of animal lovers; however, there are thousands of poor unwanted dogs in rescue centres across the country facing their final days through no fault of their own. Some are there because their family is expecting a baby; they are too old, too smelly, too boisterous, or simply just get in the way.

“This situation is just as bad across Europe as well, where dogs are slung into the ‘Hell Pound’ and left to leave this earth by their own accord.

“But luckily for some of these dogs, they have been chosen to be saved, not an easy decision to decide who stays to await their end and who has another chance, at another life, but a decision that has to be made.”

The events team have raised just under £2,500 from two events, with the most recent being a Ladies Night at Altrincham Football Club. Two men and 140 women descended upon the J. Davidson Community Sports Hall for the event, which featured stalls from BB Accessories, Younique, Phoenix Cards, Melts Away and Ann Summers. Drag Queen Angel Delight provided the entertainment on the night, as did Franky and Eden from Dreamboys Blackpool.

Kate added: “As much as the ladies all left with a smile on their face, their smiles should have been even bigger, as from a night of fun, and hard work from the events team, six dogs lives were saved that night. Before the ladies had even left the building Dogs 4 Rescue had been contacted and the money was being spent on saving these precious lives.”

The D4R Events Team said they are very grateful for the support shown so far. They are now planning their next Ladies Night, which has been organised for Friday November 25 at Altrincham Football Club.

For more information, visit dogs4rescue.co.uk.