Dizzy Dogs Day

I met Ruth whilst she was working hard trying to source goodies for the Funday.

Amazing how one message opened up a whole new world of interest and friendship (s) along the way.

Once finding out about Dizzy, I spent time trying to assist to make the day successful; printing posters and flyers for my local area and asking shop keepers to display them for us, advertising the day on local Facebook  selling/buying sites, auctioning things I had sourced and my own goodies on the Dizzy Auction Facebook page, sourcing goods on the internet, printing/laminating, and fluttering my eyelashes to local companies to ask for donations or raffle prizes.

This was just me, over the space of a few months. Others involved contributing towards the day were far more frantic!!

Hours of time, dedication, and personal contributions were gifted to make the day what it was.....

I awoke to a very foggy morning, arriving at Farmer Gows with my hubby and step kids at about 9.30am on the day to find the event being put together.

Ruth, her family and colleagues had already prepared the area in the forthcoming day(s) , so the plans for carparking/wc's etc were already in place.

Ruth was directing stall holders to their allocated site area, and answering lots of questions and advising participants regarding their pitches.

As the morning progressed, the fog lifted and I felt tensions high at some points;  maybe things may have run a little smoother with a little more assistance. This is by no means a negative comment; Ruth, family, and volunteers had assisted but all in all it fell on Ruth to hold the day together with her hubby Mark; and people can only do so many things at once!! Next year I'm sure you'll agree we need more assistance in preparation; leaving Ruth to concentrate on Dizzy and to delegate more!!!!!  (Are you reading this Ruth??!!Delegate!!)

As the stall holders arrived, I was amazed at the support Dizzy had.

I was excited to see vast array of stalls from Animal Rescue to cakes, sweets, jewellery, leather goods, a bouncy castle, childrens activities, a whole array of support from all 'walks of life' promoting theirselves along with helping a good cause.

Along with these stalls Ruth also had arranged for some fabulous catering on the day, pizza, icecreams and jacket potatoes were on the list for my two step children...mine was the bar but unfortunately I didnt get to sample any drink except a coke!

( Lets not forget the gazillion homebaked cakes I made for the stall holders! :o) )

As the visitors started to arrive the sun started to shine and I was multitasking! Asking the lovely stallholders if they would like raffle tickets and asking for offers of a prize from their stalls for our raffle.

The generosity of goods from stall holders for our raffle was a huge plus.

I had contacted many companies and local shops asking for a donation of goods, to also be refused by many.  However, The Fabulous Bakin Boys, Macs Garage, the Blue Boar hotel, Kriss Kross Hairdressing and Niche Nail Boutique were a few companies whos generosity assisted towards the raffle.

The Dizzy Stall was quite possibly one of the last to prepare. My husband and the boys (who intended to drop me off and stay for an hour or so!) were trying to assist but as they knew nothing about Dizzy (except what they had heard me waffle on about) were a little unsure how to set up or what was required!

I was also harassing (sorry!!) our generous visitors (and what lovely people they were) offering raffle tickets and meeting some lovely dogs along the way too...

Alot of the guests I chatted to had not heard of Dizzy and I explained where our stall was; but to find until about lunch time it wasn't manned all the time, which let us down a bit....I feel next year we need to be manned consistently, and be based in an area where we can promote the stall a little more so we can educate everyone that comes with what were about.

As the time passed, attendance was good, the weather had done us proud, and people were enjoying themselves relaxing in the sun with a drink, watching the dog shows or belly dancers. Except Bryn. My husband, bless him was still helping us out!!!

He had offered to compare but had no itinery. The poor guy was not up to speed with who was in attendance! However, he did a grand job and apologises to anyone he may have offended with his lack of knowledge! He has offered to do it again next year!! (He'd better start reading up!)

We unfortunately had to leave early afternoon, so didn't get to see the day out, but the 4 of us had a wonderful time meeting people who had a genuine interest in Dizzy and animal welfare, and I felt proud that all the hard work Ruth, her family and colleagues had put in had paid off to make the day a successful one..

Your thoughts would be appreciated regarding next years Family Fun Day. Do you think anything could be done differently?

What or who would you like to see there? Do you have a stall? Can you assist in preparation? Can you donate any time to us before, on the day or both? Do you know anyone that may assist with sponsoring us or can help us at all?

What are your thoughts on the 2012 Funday?

Over the following days we had a lot of positive feedback from guests and stall holders...I feel next years can only be bigger and better...Dizzy will be heard louder and prouder

 ******This is my view of the day from my attendance. I did not speak to every stall holder and possibly not everyone in attendance (although I'm sure I stalked everyone when holding the raffleticket books!), so if I have missed anyone out or you feel this is not correct, please do comment.*****