Teen who has benefitted from assistance dog plays key role in charity shoot

A teenager has been promoted to a key role in organising an event that raises thousands for the charity that has transformed her life.

- By Tracy Walker Contributor

Molly Birch, 17, was just 12 when her life was changed for the better by Chess, her disability assistance support dog.

Molly has cerebral palsy and the condition affects her balance and use of her hands, reduces her concentration and makes it difficult for her to walk far without help. Labrador Chess has been trained by the national Support Dogs charity to help Molly by picking up items she has dropped, assisting with her balance as she walks, fetching helping when she has fallen over, opening and closing drawers and doors, fetching her shoes, boots, leg and hand splints and pulling her coat off.

Anyone who knows Molly and her family knows just how much she loves Chess and how much he helps her and that's why they have been raising funds for Support Dogs for over a decade, boosting its coffers by around £20,000 each year.