Josie's appeal has a new pedigree chum

Jan 13 2007 By Daniel Thomson, The Journal

They say it's a dog's life for slimmers. But one overweight lurcher couldn't be happier to be shedding the pounds.

Sedge the dog is following in the footsteps of Journal columnist David Banks on a sponsored slim to raise money for the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund.

Josie, 16, of Princes Street, Corbridge, Northumberland, has decided to forego further leukaemia treatment, after two unsuccessful bone marrow transplants, in order to spend the time she has left with her family.

Her story moved 58-year-old David to tears, especially as he is in remission from leukaemia himself, having undergone two bone marrow transplants, the second successful.

After reading about Josie's plight, David vowed to make the most of the second chance he has been given and started a sponsored slim four weeks ago - sparking The Journal's fundraising campaign for Josie.

Now, three-year-old Sedge has taken up the challenge along with his owner Regina Enayati [correct], 38, and 18 members of staff at Natural England North-East, who have committed to lose a minimum of 17 stone between them by March 31.

Sedge weighs in at 3st 13lb, but his vet says he should shed 5lbs.

Regina, of Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, who got Sedge from Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter two years ago added: "The idea of getting Sedge involved came about after I took him to the vets and the nurse said he was starting to get overweight.

"She suggested a bit of extra exercise to lose a few pounds and I thought we might as well take some extra walks together so we could both lose weight."

Jayne Thompson, spokeswoman for Natural England North-East, which works to conserve the region's landscape, said: "A few of us were already thinking about losing weight in the New Year, and when we saw the Josie Grove Appeal it really touched us."

Jayne, of Washington, who will be shedding pounds herself, added: "One of the things we liked about the campaign was that as well as raising money for charity it also encouraged healthy living".

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Readers raise £4,500

Thanks to generous Journal readers our Josie Grove appeal total has reached almost £4,500. Since launching our campaign four weeks ago, readers have sent in £4,493 in donations and sponsorship for Journal columnist David Banks, who is doing a sponsored slim for the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund. Those who sent in donations recently were:

P H Brown - £10.00

Mrs S Blair - £10.00

A Armstrong, Embleton, Alnwick - £10.00

Mrs J M Kirkup - £10.00

Sheila Robertson, Shilbottle, Alnwick - £20.00

C Wilkinson - £10.00

Mrs R Oliver, Rothbury, Northumberland

Margaret Barber, Berwickshire - £50.00

J Camsell, Stakeford - £25.00

Anonymous - £20.00

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How you can help to raise cash for the fund

The Journal is urging readers to get behind our bid to raise money for Josie's fund.

There are two ways you can do your bit to help:

Anyone wishing to sponsor our columnist David Banks in his effort to shed the pounds in aid of the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund should fill in the form here and return it to The Journal, saying how much money you are pledging.

OR:

Let us know what fitness-related fundraising method you have come up with yourself to raise cash for The Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund.

We are urging our readers to come up with ideas - it could be a sponsored swim, a sponsored football match or even a bungee jump.

Please contact The Journal newsdesk with information of any events - solo or team - you have arranged to help boost the fund.

Sponsorship forms are available by email or post from The Journal.

Anyone wishing to get involved should contact the newsdesk on (0191) 201-6344 or email: jnl.newdesk@ncjmedia.co.uk 

You can send cheques payable to The Dove Trust (registered charity 287401) - Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund written on the back - to The Journal, PO Box 1146, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 1ET.