A HOLYWELL-based animal lover has raised close to £3,000 to fund a military memorial after attending an annual dog show.

As a National Military Working Dogs Memorial trustee, Emma Ward from the Holywell Pet Cemetery spent the weekend in Birmingham at the annual Crufts dog show to help raise the £150,000 required to help build the memorial in Holywell.

Speaking about her time at the competition, Emma said: “Throughout the course of the weekend, we received many wonderful visitors to the stand who were very moved by the amazing stories of the marvellous Military Working Dogs, including some of the Chelsea Pensioners and HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

“I have spoken to some truly amazing people and had a great time meeting so many people who care about the military working dogs as we do. The team who came along with me and helped with getting all these generous donations also deserve a massive thanks.

“We hope to have the memorial built by next year and will be great to have in the cemetery as a sign of respect to the service these military dogs provide for our country.”

The public memorial, designed to represent all the branches of the UK Armed Forces, will stand in the Holywell Pet Cemetery.

Alongside four bronze statues of dogs that have served for their country, there will be plaques with the names of many other beloved dogs.

English Pointer Judy, the only dog to be officially registered as a Prisoner of War, will represent the Royal Navy.

Springer Spaniel Theo died in the line of duty within hours of his handler and represents the British Army.

German Shepard Lucky and Springer Spaniel Buster, who completed five tours of duty to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, will represent the Royal Air Force.

There will be an auction and comedy evening held in the Pet Cemetery Tea Rooms, in Holywell, on Saturday, May 18 to help raise more funds to go towards the memorial.

For more information about the memorial, and the National Military Working Dogs Trust, visit their website www.nmwdm.org.uk/