STORE colleagues at the Pets at Home store in Redditch are hosting a breakfast event to raise money for Dogs for the Disabled.

Part of a national initiative, the Big Dogs Breakfast will take place in store on Sunday, November 2 at 9am, an hour before opening. The store team is inviting the local community to enjoy a hot beverage and some breakfast treats, with or without their dog, in return for a small donation.

All funds raised on the day will be donated to Dogs for the Disabled, which works to change lives by creating exceptional partnerships between children and adults living with disability and specially trained assistance dogs.

The charity also supports families with a child affected by autism through assistance dogs and specialist pet dog workshops, and is currently working on innovative new projects with schools and residential care settings.

Pets at Home store manager Pete Burrell said: "We’re really excited about this event as it’s a great opportunity to meet people from across the community or catch-up with familiar faces over breakfast. Whether you’re a dog owner or not, we’d love you to come down to help us raise money and change people’s lives through Dogs for the Disabled’s support."

As well as breakfast, there will be fun activities for all the family on offer, including ‘Toastie the dog’ face masks, quizzes and colouring competitions.

Dogs for the Disabled chief executive, Peter Gorbing, said: "It’s great that Pets at Home have been able to get on-board and support our event to help us raise vital funds that will make a huge difference to people’s lives.

"An assistance dog also gives its owner a reason to go out, giving them a new found confidence that opens doors to fresh opportunities including friendships, hobbies, education and even careers. The partnerships created by Dogs for the Disabled between people facing great challenges and dogs are life-changing.

"Just £3 will feed a pup a nourishing breakfast for a week, £5 buys for a puppy a breakfast bowl, £20 pays for a jacket, collar and lead and £100 will fund four puppy training classes."

There are currently 181 dogs working in partnership with adults, 52 with children with a disability and 43 working with a family with a child with autism.

For more information see petsathome.com or dogsforthedisabled.org/bigdogsbreakfast.