27/3/2008

Local News

Beloved dog Scooter spurs Annabel on

THE beloved dog of the police inspector responsible for the safer neighbourhoods teams
in Aldershot and Farnborough has inspired her to take up a mammoth challenge.
Inspector Annabel Berry’s dog Scooter was diagnosed with diabetes a year ago, and lost his sight because of diabetic cataracts.
But Scooter, an 11-year-old Tibetan Terrier, was saved by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) Animal Care Trust – and now Annabel wants to support the college’s work.
The 34-year-old is now in training for the London Marathon – her first marathon.
She hopes to raise more than £1,000 for the Royal Veterinary College by collecting sponsorship for the big event on April 13.
After Scooter was referred to the College’s Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, vets successfully managed to remove a cataract in his left eye. The operation not only gave him his sight but also his confidence and quality of life.
Annabel is a keen martial artist, with a green belt in Taekwon-Do. But she had no distance running experience until she started training last November. She recently completed the Reading half marathon in two hours 11 minutes and has already run 225 miles this year in preparation for the big day.
She hopes to complete the London Marathon in four-and-a-half hours.
Annabel, who lives in Alton, said: “Everyone has been so supportive, especially Scooter’s auntie Sue, who walks him while I work and has raised over £100 so far for the RVC.
“My fundraising is going well and Scooter’s local vets, who are RVC graduates, also have a collecting tin to help raise funds.”
She added: “The marathon will be a lifetime’s challenge for me since I am not a natural runner.”
To sponsor Annabel please contact Joanne Hussain at the Royal Veterinary College Animal Care Trust on 01707 666237.
For more information about the Trust, visit www.rvc.ac.uk/act

First printed in: Surrey Hants Star