Cutest pet competition raises vital funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research

A cutest pet competition organised by Belzona Polymerics has raised vital funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The competition was arranged as part of a year of fundraising by employees at the Harrogate-based firm, who have chosen Yorkshire Cancer Research and St Michael’s Hospice as their charitable causes for 2021.

A total of 26 four-legged friends were put forward to win a two-hour pet photography shoot by award-winning photographer Kirsty Mattsson, with each employee making a donation to the two charities to enter their pet.

The winner was Bobby, a Cockapoo who won at just nine weeks old. A team of four independent judges scored each pet out of 10, and Bobby was the top scorer with 38 points out of 40.

Bobby’s owner said: “I am really proud to work for a company like Belzona, which dedicates a lot of time and resources to supporting charitable causes such as Yorkshire Cancer Research through events like the cutest pet competition. Bobby is really smart but also daft as a brush. He loves walks, cuddles and barking at himself in the mirror. He was very happy to win his first award at the grand old age of nine weeks and found the rosette very tasty.”

So far, Belzona has raised £2,362 for Yorkshire Cancer Research and St Michael’s Hospice. The cutest pet competition is one of several fundraising activities planned for the year. Other office events will include a chocolate raffle, a Euro 2021 football sweepstake and a pound sale.

A group of employees will also travel to Wales later this year to climb to the summit of Snowdon at sunrise. Natalie Carpenter, Corporate Development Supervisor, is part of the team that will tackle the 1,085-metre peak.

She said: “I am so pleased that Yorkshire Cancer Research is one of our chosen charities this year and am delighted to be able to personally fundraise for them when we climb Snowdon.

“Having learnt more about the work they do, particularly the schemes for raising awareness of prominent cancers in Yorkshire, I feel really committed to raising as much money as I can to support such a wonderful charity.”

Lily Alexander-Pike, Corporate Development Assistant at Belzona added: “Belzona has always fostered strong links with the local community. We are always looking for new fundraising ideas and encourage all staff to take part.

“To support participation in community-based activities, the company formed the Belzona 1% Club, which enables employees to be given paid leave - up to 1% of their annual working time - to spend time away from work and get involved in voluntary work in the community.”

Yorkshire Cancer Research was nominated as one of this year’s charities by Sarah Furber, a member of the finance department, because she has family members who have been affected by cancer.

Find out more about fundraising for Yorkshire Cancer Research