A PRIZE-WINNING doggy athlete has leapt into action to help launch our Christmas Jolly Jumper appeal.

Seven, an award-winning dog agility star, is leading the charge for people across the North-East to don their Jolly Jumpers this December in aid of the North East Autism Society.

The four-year-old border collie lives near Durham with his owners, Sarah and Ian Kitching, and as a "jolly jumper" known for his lightning-fast leaps over obstacles, NEAS couldn’t resist incorporating him into the appeal.

"Indistorm Lucky Seven", as he’s known to the Kennel Club, has won agility time-trials across the country, and last year placed second in the Crufts Novice Cup. Now, he can add "poster dog" to his list of achievements after donning a jolly jumper for his latest training session.

Sarah, a professional dog trainer and owner of Durham Dogs training services, said: “We’re delighted that Seven has been invited to be the ‘poster dog’ of the North East Autism Society’s Jolly Jumper appeal.

As people who have lived and worked in this part of the world our whole lives, we know what good work the charity does.

John Phillipson, chief executive of NEAS, said: “Our Jolly Jumper appeal is always a fantastic start to the festive season. We’ve never had a jumping dog, like Seven, join in before, so we naturally jumped at the chance to involve him.

"We’re delighted that he agreed to make time in his busy training schedule to take part."

Businesses, schools, and individuals throughout the region will be donning their Jolly Jumpers on 7th December in aid of the charity. 

The NEAS team has made it easy for supporters to get involved by offering free Festive Fundraising Packs full of ideas and resources to make Jolly Jumper events as successful and stress-free as possible.

As for Seven, a return to Crufts is on the cards for next year, where he and Sarah intend to take gold.

Join our Jolly Jumper appeal