RAF High Wycombe’s Thrift Shop sells items donated on behalf of its customer, with a percentage going towards charity. Over the past two years, volunteers have raised £5,000 for renowned charity ‘Hounds for Heroes.’
To show their appreciation of the money raised, Hounds for Heroes will give RAF High Wycombe the honour of naming the next puppy the charity takes on for training.
The RAF High Wycombe Thrift Shop has been part of the local community for several decades and is open to both the military and civilian community. The shop is run by a team of very loyal and friendly volunteers who take great pride in both the service they provide to their community and for the money they raise for charitable causes each year. The shop is open 0900-1300 on Wednesdays (term time only) and is situated just before the entrance to RAF High Wycombe 3 Site - new customers are always welcome.
Assistant Dogs may take up to two years to train, but they are providing essential assistance to disabled HM Armed Forces and Emergency Services personnel by improving their quality of life and mental health. The Dogs can offer hold everyday items in their mouths or move limbs around when the individual is paralysed, as well as offering their owners an unconditional and deep companionship.
Allen Parton, the Founder and Vice-Chairman of Hounds for Heroes and his current Assistant Labrador, ET, attended a special gathering at RAF High Wycombe, to accept the cheque on behalf of the charity. This was followed by a lunch provided at the Officer’s Mess, with the event organiser, Wing Commander Stowers, and representing the Station Commander, Squadron Leader Mepham-Stone. Volunteers from the Thrift Shop also joined the gathering.
Alan is a Gulf War veteran who spent five years in the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre after sustaining life changing injuries. His first Assistant Dog, Endal, was awarded the Dickin Medal – also known as the animal Victoria Cross – for his efforts to save Allen after a hit-an-run accident, "[he] brought me back to my family and gave me a quality of life."
Dogs can take away a lot of the pain and anger that an injured person may feel. It is about ability, not disability, solutions not problems.
Allen Parton
Founder and Vice-Chairman of Hounds for Heroes
