Onswitch presents cheque at London Vet Show

Medical Detection Dogs has received a cheque for £2,500 after Team Onswitch cycled from Alness in Ross-shire, down to Brighton, West Sussex.

Sue Surbey, of Medical Detection Dogs, was presented with the cheque on day two of London Vet Show (Friday, November 16), at Onswitch's exhibition stand. She was accompanied by her diabetes detection dog, Casper.

Poodle Casper, who is three next month, happily posed alongside his owner and staff from Onswitch - as a representative of the hardworking, intelligent dogs that help to save lives everyday.

Sue has owned Casper for almost 18 months, and says her dog is brilliant. He can't be given treats at home too often - as it may interfere with his training - but otherwise, Sue says he is just like any other dog.

"The money will go a long way with both the diabetes and cancer side of Medical Detection Dogs," she said."I work with the charity on a volunteer basis, and because I work in schools already, we are hoping to move into schools and do talks."

The 900-mile charity bike ride took place in September, and was completed in just 77 consecutive hours and 30 minutes by relay.

Team Onswitch set off from Easter Ross Vets in Alness, stopping at 19 other practices along the way, and completed the tiresome journey at Grove Lodge Vets in Brighton. Fortunately, the team had only one flat tire!

Donald Lambert of Onswitch, who cycled 157 miles in one leg, said: "We're very happy for Medical Detection Dogs to receive this money... it's good to support the smaller charities. We would really like to turn this into an annual event."

Donald added: "And we will have to see who can beat us!"