All aboard the doodle express

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Christmas came early this year for the members of Camber Sands Doodle Friends. If you happened to be in Dungeness last Sunday you would certainly have done a double take. It’s not everyday you meet nearly forty doodles (poodle crosses) in fancy dress and Christmas jumpers boarding the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway! This spectacular sight was all in aid of the dog rescue and rehoming charity DoodleAid, the group’s chosen charity for the fundraiser.

Special train for the day

The day was made possible thanks to the generosity of the RHDR who donated the train ride completely free of charge, and The Pilot Inn who set aside their conservatory area for a super fish and chip lunch after the ride. The day raised £785 towards DoodleAid’s vital work.

The doodles and their owners enjoyed much hilarity on the ride from Dungeness to New Romney, where there was a half hour break for those that needed to ‘lift their leg’. Others preferred to either show off their Christmas jumpers or strut their fancy dress costumes. There was tough competition for the judges to find the “Most Christmassy dressed doodle”, the “Best Costume” and “The doodle the judge would most like to take home”.

All aboard!

The best costume was won by a doodle in her ‘SuperWoman’ costume, the most Christmassy was won by a doodle dressed up as an elf and the dog most wanted to take home was fittingly a DoodleAid rescue.

The return journey to Dungeness was equally exciting with doodles either popping their heads out the windows to feel the wind in their faces or sit quietly watching the scenery go by. Once back in Dungeness those who wanted walked to the Pilot Inn, while it was the responsibility of those driving back to get the drinks in!

Are we nearly there yet?

Caroline King from DoodleAid said, “Fundraising events like this are the lifeblood of a small charity like ours. Our costs include not only food for those dogs we have in foster, but ongoing vet fees, kennel fees and we extensively use professional behaviourists to ensure dogs in our care have the best possible chance in their new home. Doodle owners helping doodles in need lets everyone input to the process and we ensure that every penny spent is spent on helping the dogs.”

The Camber Sands Doodle Friends is a group of dog owners who meet regularly on Camber beach. The one thing they have in common is their “doodles”, these include Cavachons, Cavapoos, Cockapoos, Labradoodles and many many more Poodle crosses. More information about the group can be found on their Facebook page.

Image Credits: James Glover .

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Fabulous day out. Thank you to everyone involved, especially James Glover for organising, the RHDR and The Pilot Inn. DoodleAid is a fabulous small charity run completely by volunteers so this kind of event is so appreciated!!

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