A DARLINGTON-based veterinary hospital has raised more than £700 for St Teresa’s Hospice.

The dedicated team at Stanhope Park gave their full support to the hospice’s first Bark in the Park sponsored dog walk, holding a raffle and donating doggy treats.

Bark in the Park attracted nearly 400 canines and their well-behaved companions for a one-mile sponsored stroll around South Park, Darlington, on April 10.

Helen Geldard, practice manager at Stanhope Park, wanted to give something back after her husband Andrew was cared for by the hospice.

She said: “The hospice is an amazing place – and a happy place, which can come as a surprise. The care that my husband received there was second to none, right down to the kitchen staff coming to see him and staying behind after they were due to go home, just to prepare him the jelly he had asked for.

"Seeing the hospice now and the developments that have been made is fantastic. We were delighted to be able to support and get involved with Bark in the park. We’ll always be here to help because I think it is important for people to support a service like this.”

Staff at the branch were thrilled with the result of the raffle and the response from clients, and many turned out on the day to help run a stall and to join in the fun.

Hospice chief executive Jane Bradshaw said: “This was a real bow-wowser of an event. We’re so grateful for the support of Helen and everyone at Stanhope Park Veterinary Hospital, for their sponsorship. All the dogs and owners thoroughly enjoyed it, and all the money will be gratefully received to further the Hospice’s vital free services for local people.”

With sponsorship money still to come, the event is expected to raise over £5,000 towards the cost of the soon to be opened £1.2 million new 10-bed in-patient unit in Woodland Road.