Race night winners

STAFF from Midlands Co-op successfully reached the winning post, after raising over &#163 7,000 from its charity race night ball.
They went under starters orders and organised the &#039Hee Bee Gee Gees&#039 event in aid of the Society&#039s corporate charity, Dogs for the Disabled.
In total &#163 7,500 was raised and Jon Arrowsmith, from Midlands Co-op, who was part of the planning committee, said: "It was a fantastic event and we are all delighted with the amount we raised in just one night. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who kindly donated prizes towards the event. The total raised will go a long way to help us reach our overall target of raising &#163 100,000 for Dogs for the Disabled throughout 2006."
The 2006 charity, Dogs for the Disabled, formed in 1988 and is the only organisation in the UK to train dogs to help disabled adults and children with practical tasks such as opening doors, switching on lights, bringing in the milk, emptying the washing machine, answering the telephone and much more. In addition to practical support, the dogs also help individuals build their confidence, break down barriers for social interaction and provide independence.
Staff at Midlands Co-op hope to raise in excess of &#163 100,000 for Dogs for the Disabled to help the charity continue with its pioneering work. It costs &#163 22,000 to train a puppy from the age of six weeks old and graduate into a fully trained assistance dog. By reaching the target figure Midlands Co-op hopes to put at least four puppies through their paces to make a difference to disabled people living across the Midlands.