Jersey’s Big Dog Club, can continue to train and provide vital lifesaving in the waters around the Island’s coasts following a recent donation from Condor.
The Condor Community Fund has provided a grant for the purchase of a new electric outboard motor along with lifejackets for club members and dogs used in the rescues at the annual test weekend which took place last Saturday and Sunday. In total, 17 canine
lifesavers, including Newfoundlands, Leonbergers and a Bracco Italiano along with the 20 strong team at Jersey Big Dog Club, were tested at the fresh water lake in St Peter.
Steve Pallot, who is a member of the working section sub-committee of the Southern Newfoundland Club and lives and trains locally with The Jersey Big Dog Club, was delighted with the new equipment.
“We are grateful to Condor for the funding so our volunteers and giant furry friends can carry on this important work in our community. The session is always held in early October when the working committee and judges and members from the club in the UK visit Jersey to hold water and draught tests. We use the opportunity to put the local dogs and trainers through their paces to assess their water rescue skills and draughting.
“The Jersey Big Dog Club has been active for 11 years and practiced saving many lives through the swift action of our well-trained and keen volunteers so the donation, which we used to buy essential equipment, is really helpful and timely.”
The event took place at a local lake where water tests were carried out, ranging from retrieving an object to towing a person to shore to towing a rigid inflatable boat with up to six people. Some of the larger animals were able to pull a boat to shore without the use of its
engine.
Greg Yeoman, Condor’s Commercial Director, commented: “As a ferry company we have an obvious affinity with water activity, but regardless this is a very worthy cause to help our community stay safe so are very pleased to support it.”
Condor’s Community Fund was originally established in 2019 and supports Islanders who give up their time to develop community activities. The Fund sees numerous applications from across the Islands with a focus on sustainability, local benefit and enjoyment for others.
