A CHARITY that trains dogs for disabled people has celebrated the first anniversary of its centre in Atherton.

Dogs for the Disabled has gradually built its presence in the North West since it opened its facility on Gibfield Park Avenue in January last year.

The charity provides specially trained dogs who can offer freedom and independence to children and adults with physical disabilities and children with autism.

Puppy socialisers — volunteers who look after and socialise with the dogs before they begin their training — and disabled clients with their dogs came together to celebrate the birthday in Bolton on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the charity said: "The event was really great. There were lots of puppies and some of our disabled clients came with their dogs.

"They all came to celebrate a year since we first appealed for puppy socialisers just a year ago.

"We played games that the puppy socialisers and their puppies could join in with and some of the clients did too.

"It was very successful event and a good time was had by all. Hopefully it will mean more people come forward to be socialisers in Leigh and Wigan."

The centre has three members of staff and is responsible for nearly 30 clients and their dogs in the North West.

Gayle Barrow, an instructor for the North West, has placed three dogs since she started in the summer last year and aims to place nine next year.

The centre has signed up 18 puppy socialisers since opening but is in need of another 15.

The charity, founded in 1988, has its headquarters in Banbury, Oxfordshire, and opened its third satellite centre in Atherton to join those at Wakefield and Bristol.

Dogs for the Disabled also runs its PAWS workshops in the North West, designed to help the parents and carers of children with autism explore how a well trained family pet dog can have a massively beneficial impact. Visit paws.dogsforthedisabled.org to find out more.

The charity receives no government funding and relies entirely on voluntary donations to carry out its work. The charity must raise £12,000 to fund each dog from birth to fully trained assistance dog or £20,000 to fund the dog for its entire working life.

To find out more about sponsoring a puppy from £5 per month, raising money or volunteering visit dogsforthedisabled.org.