Ovenu

Simon Kirkby of oven cleaning service Ovenu Wirral South 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 could not become a working Guide Dog. Despite the setback, Simon is continuing his sponsorship to support the charity.

Now aged 11 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’s brilliant at boarding public transport and is confident in busy environments, while his food manners are ‘almost there.’

Simon, a former printing industry account manager who launched the business in 2006, 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 Simon Kirkby of Ovenu Wirral South

Editors’ Notes:

Ovenu Wirral South covers the Wirral Peninsular including Birkenhead, Wallasey, West Kirkby, Hoylake, Heswall, Neston, Ellesmere Port, Bromborough, Bebington, and surrounding areas. For details call 0151 3399557, email wirralsouth@ovenu.co.uk or visit https://www.ovenu.co.uk/oven-cleaning-services/england/north-west/wirral-south/

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).