Ovenu

Derek Lancaster of oven cleaning service Ovenu Darlington is supporting Guide Dogs pup Ralph throughout his extensive training programme.

The yellow Golden Retriever/Labrador cross replaces black Lab Selsey, which Ovenu franchisees first started sponsoring in 2021.

Although excelling in training, Selsey developed a slight weakness in one hip which meant she was unable to progress to become a working Guide Dog. Despite the setback, Derek is continuing his sponsorship in support of Ralph.

Now aged 10 months, Ralph is spending time with Puppy Raisers Toni and Adrian, two of the 16,000 volunteers that work with Guide Dogs. He will remain with them until he’s 12 to 14-months-old before being considered for full Guide Dog training, with the longer-term ambition of being assigned to a visually impaired person.

So far Ralph is settling in well and is described as “sweet and charming.” His latest report card says he is brilliant an boarding public transport and is confident in busy environments, while hGuide Dogs’ CEO Andrew Lennox recently met members of the Ovenu team at one of its community facilities where they were introduced to Ralph for the first time.

Derek bought the franchised business in 2003 having spent 25 years in the military, including spells at RAF Leeming and RAF Boulmer. It proved so successful that two years later he recruited wife Deb to provide extra support by cleaning grills and dealing with administration.

The 62-year-old said: “Guide Dogs is a fantastic charity and I’m pleased to be able to give something back by supporting its life changing work. These dogs provide those with sight loss greater mobility, independence, social interaction - as well as companionship.

“It’s also a way of saying a huge thank you to my clients who, without their continued support, I wouldn’t be in a position to sponsor this adorable pup!”

Guide Dogs’ CEO Andrew Lennox said: “It costs approximately £56,000 to support each guide dog through from birth to retirement, and without all the contributions of our donors and the efforts of our fundraisers we would not be able to do what we do.”

For further information or to donate to Guide Dogs visit https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF OVENU

For further information contact Andrew Douglas 01325 363436

Photo caption: Trainee Guide Dogs pup Ralph and Derek Lancaster of Ovenu Darlington

Editors’ Notes:

As well as the market town, Ovenu Darlington also covers Northallerton, Leyburn, Barnard Castle, Newton Aycliffe, Bishop Auckland, and surrounding areas. For details call 01325 540002, email darlington@ovenu.co.uk or visit https://www.ovenu.co.uk/oven_cleaning/darlington/

Ovenu is the leading UK and international domestic oven cleaning and valeting specialist. All cleaning products used by Ovenu are environmentally friendly, bio-degradable and conform to the latest government REACH regulations. Ovenu’s Carbon Remover is also approved by the Vitreous Enamel Association. The Ovenu valeting process involves dismantling key components of an oven and placing them into design-registered equipment, which uses non-caustic, non-toxic and biodegradable products to clean the oven parts. Ovenu was a founder member of the Approved Franchise Association (AFA).