Accapi Group, the European distributor of Ruffwear products, has handed over a cheque for more than £5,000 to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) in memory of Ruffwear’s ambassador Max ‘The Miracle Dog’.
The donation, which will go to support the purchase of life saving kit, was the culmination of 5% of all UK sales of the brand’s Orange Front Range Harness. Accapi Group chief executive Andrew Geere presented the cheque at a special fundraising event celebrating the life and legacy of Max last weekend (December 17).
Max was a therapy dog who was followed the world over on social media but who passed away earlier this year. His owner, mental health campaigner and fundraiser Kerry Irving, has carried on the spaniel’s legacy with a series of fundraising initiatives throughout the course of 2022 with Max’s brothers Paddy and Harry.
Irving organises fundraising walks and talks where people and come and share their life experiences and love of the Lake District. Most of the events have a fundraising element to them and, with the support of Ruffwear and Max’s followers, the team has raised enough funds to deliver a Volvo XC90 vehicle to the GNAAS, a charity that provides critical air ambulance care across the North of England, entirely funded by voluntary contributions. The Volvo fast response vehicle will be used in times when the helicopter can’t fly.
Geere said: “Max was our most treasured ambassador for Ruffwear. We knew we had to mark his passing and give back to the huge contribution he has made to our brand. So, this year, to supplement the fundraising work of Kerry and the boys, Accapi donated 5% of all UK sales from the collection of products most loved by Kerry and Max to the GNAAS fund.
“Max’s well recognised orange Front Range Harness, Lead and Collar has been our best-selling colour in 2022 which just shows how the love and support for this special spaniel still grows. His legacy lives on and we’re very proud to support such a worthy cause.”
