Selfless six-year-old buys gifts for Dogs Trust

A six year-old girl from Glasgow put her pocket money to good use by collecting dog treats, food and blankets in time for Christmas.

Eilidh Grimley collected dog food, treats and blankets to donate to the Glasgow Dogs Trust rehoming centre earlier this week. Image: Dogs Trust

Schoolgirl Eilidh Grimley delivered her generous gifts in a handmade collection box to Glasgow’s Dogs Trust centre at Uddingston yesterday.

Sandra Lawton, Dogs Trust Glasgow Rehoming Centre Manager, said: “We were absolutely delighted to receive this incredibly generous donation from Eilidh – it’s sure to help each and every one of our dogs enjoy a very Merry Christmas. We really enjoyed introducing her to our homeless hounds who adored meeting her too.”

“Her love of dogs was plain to see and we hope she enjoyed receiving lots of licks and wags from our grateful four-legged residents. All our staff work really hard to make the dogs’ stay here as nice as possible and kind donations such as Eilidh’s help us provide the best possible care for our dogs whilst they wait for loving new homes.”

Harvey is the centre's only beagle looking to be rehomed at the moment. Image: Emily Mayer

With 60 dogs set to spend Christmas and the festive season in the shelter, the little girl’s donations will help to feed and look after the dogs over the festive period while fulfilling Eilidh’s Christmas wish of helping the homeless hounds.

Mary McGrouther, Eilidh’s mother, commented on the schoolgirl’s festive turn as “Santa Paws”.

She said: “Eilidh adores dogs and really wanted to do her bit to help the dogs at Dogs Trust Glasgow have the best Christmas possible.

Lucky, a Collie, is also up for adoption from the Glasgow centre. Image: Emily Mayer

“Dogs Trust helps so many dogs to find loving new homes and I know Eilidh was thrilled to be able to give something back at Christmas.”

Earlier this month, the Glasgow branch of the Dogs Trust unveiled its “12 Dogs of Christmas” scheme, designed to promote some of the breeds at the centre who are looking for homes in the new year.

Across the UK, Dogs Trust estimates that approximately 1600 dogs will be spending Christmas Day in re-homing centres rather than a home of their own. It is expected that around 100 more dogs will be given to centres as unwanted Christmas presents.

Those interested in re-homing any of the dogs at Dogs Trust Glasgow can contact them on 0300 303 0292 or visit the Dogs Trust website for more information.