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Pet portraits will boost our appeal
CUTE ... Judith Graham and her black Labrador Zeb.
CUDDLY kittens and dogs can boost a Gazette fundraising appeal for a South Tyneside hospice.
Even crocodiles can get snapped by photographer Judith Graham for her cute pets competition – if they are photogenic enough.
She is urging owners who think their pets are the best to have them photographed at her Hebburn studio.
In return, she will donate half her £10 fee to the Gazette’s “c/o St Clare’s” campaign, which aims to help the Jarrow hospice plug a £50,000 funding shortfall.
Miss Graham decided to act after reading how hospice bosses are struggling to raise the last slice of their overall £2m annual running costs.
But she also wanted to help after personal painful experience reminded her of the hospice’s vital work.
Her uncle, Alec Maloy, 67, of Jarrow, was cared for there for two weeks before he died of stomach cancer in 1998.
Miss Graham, 41, who runs Village Photography, in Mountbatten Avenue, said: “My uncle received very good care there, it’s nice to try to give something back.”
Owners have until the end of February to have their pets snapped, with each featuring on her firm’s website.
Votes can be cast for one week thereafter by ‘liking’ the image on her Facebook page, or by texting her mobile number 07947 153935.
The five with the most votes will go through to the final, where an independent judge will pick the winner in mid-March.
As well as entry to the contest, all owners get a mounted photo of their pet.
The winner gets a special 20in by 16in framed picture, with two runners-up getting smaller prints.
St Clare’s, a registered charity, has been caring for South Tynesiders for more than 25 years. It provides free palliative care to adults with life-limiting illnesses and deals with in-patients and day-care patients.
The Primrose Terrace-based centre has been highly praised for its high levels of care.
But bosses admit the recession has made it increasingly difficult for it to get the funds it needs.
They say that without the money it will not be able to care for as many patients.
Twitter: @shieldsgazette
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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