Wirral Life May 2020 | Page 7

IN BRIEF ECCLESIASTICAL LAUNCHES THE MOVEMENT FOR GOOD AWARDS 2020 SIX-FOOT TALL DOG STILL THINKS HE'S A PUPPY AND WON'T STOP SITTING ON OWNER'S LAP Specialist insurer Ecclesiastical is giving away another £1million to charities with the return of its Movement for Good awards. In 2019 more than 1,600 kind-hearted Merseyside residents voted for over 100 charities across the region. Last year saw an amazing 98,000 people around the UK support the Movement for Good awards in total, with over 7,000 charitable causes up and down the country receiving votes. The 500 winning charities were picked at random from those nominated. This year 500 more charities will each receive £1,000 during the first phase of the campaign, which launches today. A second phase of giving will happen later this summer. This is an extremely challenging time for charities, and many are struggling with the unprecedented impact of coronavirus. Members of the public are once again being encouraged to nominate a cause close to their hearts for a potential £1,000 award to help make a difference. Wirral Hospice St John’s, Wirral Youth Zone in Birkenhead, Huntington’s Disease Association in Liverpool and Stick ‘N’ Step in Wallasey were among the local beneficiaries in 2019, following overwhelming public support in the county. A representative from Stick ‘N’ Step stated: "We would like to say an enormous thank you to all of the wonderful people who took the time to nominate us for a Movement for Good award. It was fantastic to see such a great show of support for the charity and the money we received has helped us to continue to deliver conductive education to over 100 children and young people with cerebral palsy from across the North- West. Thank you so much.” The nomination process is open until 24 May. Winners will be drawn at random and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected. It’s quick and easy to nominate, you can vote for your favourite charity online at: www.movementforgood.com Meet Rowlf the 2-year-old Newfypoo from Thursaston. Rowlf is definitely extraordinary. He is a giant dog standing 6ft tall on his hind legs and weighing around 45kgs. When Rowlf joined the Pankhurst family in June 2018, he wasn't much bigger than the family’s cat. That soon changed! Despite the huge transformation, he still acts like a puppy. At times, that can be quite a challenge to accommodate, especially when he climbs up on the laps of the family! Bought to support Craig in his recovery from a Stroke, Rowlf has been an incredible part of Craig’s post-stroke exercise programme ensuring he gets out and walks at least 5km per day. Craig said: “Having Rowlf has been a huge positive in my recovery. He has been amazing for my physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. “When we are out walking, he is frequently stopped by passers-by who can’t help but ask what breed he is. He has become quite a celebrity over the past few weeks and has even received requests to feature on TV.” The newfound fame for Rowlf will not deter him from his two main roles though: being a family pet and the Ambassadog to the charity: A Stroke of Luck. Craig started A Stroke of Luck in May 2019, we featured the charity as they launched. The charity has gone from strength to strength and has received global support for their focus on supporting stroke survivors in their life after stroke through exercise. If you want to find out more about A Stroke of Luck, please head to atrokeofluck.co.uk and/or follow their social pages: @astrokeofluckuk wirrallife.com 7