A TROON charity which provides animal companionship for older people is the only Scottish organisation in the running for a top award.

Give a Dog a Bone has been shortlisted for Charity Team of the Year at the 2023 Petplan and Association of Dogs and Cats Home (ADCH) Animal Charity Awards.

The team face competition from Somerset-based Secret World Wildlife Rescue and Southampton City Farm at the awards ceremony in Telford, Shropshire next Tuesday, May 16.

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Louise Russell, founder of Give a Dog a Bone, is delighted she and her team of nine part-time workers have been named finalists.

She said: “We are a small team who deliver a really big service tackling loneliness for older adults through animal companionship and friendship and we all work hard to make a difference every day.

“We had 12,500 visitors through our doors last year and we support three distinct geographical areas across Scotland at Troon, Alloa and Shawlands in Glasgow."

Give a Dog a Bone, which was founded in 2013, helps people aged 60+ afford to home a rescue pet.

It also runs community schemes, in Troon, Alloa and the Shawlands area of Glasgow, providing free activities and a team of companionship dogs allowing those who love animals to spend time with them.

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“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to take the concept of what we deliver through Give a Dog a Bone to a new audience and to fly the flag for Scotland," Louise continued.

“We are proud to be the only Scottish charity shortlisted for any of the Animal Charity awards and it’s a wonderful recognition for us all.

“Regardless of the outcome next week, we are pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate everyone who works with us as we come together for a great team building experience at the awards ceremony.”