Next week Jollyes will take part in the first ‘National Service Animal Week’ to help raise money for the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA). The initiative marks the third birthday of the NFRSA on May 11.
Founded by The Countess Bathurst, Jollyes partnered with the NFRSA late last year, introduced charity collection boxes across its 100-plus stores, with a commitment to match donations up to £20,000.
To date, Jollyes has donated £5,000 to the NFRSA and this week, the retailer will be participating in its National Service Animal Week to raise funds and awareness of the crucial work it does supporting retired service animals.
Since working with the NFRSA it has supported every Jollyes store opening with a retired or working service animal helping to officially open each new location, by biting through a string of sausages.
And in keeping with this tradition, next week retired service animals will visit a number of stores between 10am and midday to raise awareness of the NFRSA’s vital work.
On Friday, May 9, Jollyes’ Bedford branch will host retired police dog Quirky, as well as retired service dogs Billy and Bruno.
Jollyes’ Kings Lynn branch will be visited by NFRSA service ambassador Bev Graeme, as well as retired service dogs Zellick and Yogi on Sunday, May 11.
And, also on Sunday, May 11, Jollyes Chichester branch will receive a VIP visit from their local hero, retired explosives search dog Hugo.
Dog food wholesaler and fellow NFRSA partner Paw-Cura, will also visit these stores at the same time, offering advice to customers and giving away dog treats.
In addition, Paw-Cura’s Training Treat Snapp-Eez and Skin & Coat Snapp-Eez will be available at a special price of £1.98 instead of the normal £3.99, with a donation to the NFRSA from every pack sold, to help celebrate and support National Service Animal Week.
NFRSA founder Countess Bathurst said: “We are thrilled that our key charity partners Jollyes and Paw-Cura are giving their full support to our National Service Animal Week, which marks the third birthday of the NFRSA.
“The NFRSA is a family, from the animals and handlers we help, to the partners who play a vital role in helping us to achieve our mission to ‘Protect Our Protectors’. We are incredibly excited to welcome more of Jollyes’ wonderful shoppers into the fold to help us raise money this week.”
Jollyes chief executive Joe Wykes added: “We’re incredibly proud to partner with the NFRSA and the amazing Countess Bathurst and the work she does.
“We know how passionate our customers and colleagues are about supporting retired service animals across the UK, and we are excited to drive awareness and donations for the vital work the NFRSA does.”
