Despite the grey clouds and blustery wind, the inaugural RNLI Dog Show held on Saturday, May 24 at Rye Harbour was a huge success, drawing in enthusiastic dog lovers and supporters from across the area. The event saw dozens of dogs take part in a variety of show classes, all in aid of raising awareness and vital funds for the RNLI.
The event was the pet-project of Morganne Fiddimore, a keen dog show enthusiast and RNLI fundraiser: “I love attending summer dog shows with my own dog and thought this would be a fun way to raise money for the station. It appealed to a different audience than some of our existing events, so it brought in new supporters too.”
A total of £552 was raised on the day, including proceeds from the RNLI shop stall.
The show was sponsored by several local supporters, including Reggie’s Place, Broad Oak Kennels, South Coast Dog Training, Archies’s Food, Paws ‘n’ Claws and the New Inn at Winchelsea.
We were also absolutely thrilled to have Wendy Barnes sponsoring the “dog the judge would most like to take home” class. Wendy has been a cornerstone of RNLI support in our community for nearly four decades. She first joined the Rye and Winchelsea District branch committee in 1986 and went on to help establish the fundraising team at Rye Harbour RNLI. Wendy’s dedication is legendary, from her many years working in the lifeboat shop to faithfully collecting charity boxes in local pubs, she has tirelessly championed the RNLI’s cause. A lifelong dog lover, Wendy jumped at the chance to support our fun dog show, and we couldn’t be prouder to have her on board. Her generosity and enthusiasm are an inspiration, and the event was all the better for her being part of it.
Nikky from Reggie’s Place said: “We know how vital the role of the Rye Harbour RNLI is to our friends, clients and our town. Supporting the dog show financially and by spreading the word made perfect sense. It was also a great opportunity for many of our pet parents to actually meet each other!”
She added that the RNLI’s values align closely with those of Reggie’s Place: “We provide a safe space for dogs, and just like the RNLI, we want our clients and their guests—many of whom are water users—to feel safe.”
The judging was led by Berni Fiddimore, an experienced dog show judge, who praised the atmosphere and organisation: “The show was well organised, especially the registration process. The space allowed dogs to spread out, avoiding the crowding I’ve seen at other shows that can lead to chaos. The sponsorship was a genius idea and the prizes were better than at many shows I’ve judged.”
She also commented on the spirit of the event: “It brought people with a shared interest together. New acquaintances were made and I imagine some will now walk their dogs together or share tips. And it’s great that dog owners leave more aware of the RNLI’s role—not just rescuing sailors, but dogs too!”
Image Credits: Mark Stephenson , Morganne Fiddimore , Morganne Fiddimore , Lucy Hill , Mark Stephenson .