TTHE fundraising effort to secure an autism assistance dog for South West Rocks youngster Archer Saunders has achieved its $15,000 target.
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Money raised above the target amount will be used to help other families secure a special dog of their own.
The Archer ‘n’ Pup campaign coffers overflowed at a Christmas in July function held at the Seabreeze Hotel on July 23.
Archer’s parents, Jessica and Adrian, and family set themselves the task only a little more than two months ago of raising the money.
Archer has severe autism and does not perceive the world around him like other children; he has no concept of danger and can run off across the road through the traffic at any moment.
Autism assistance dogs are trained and supplied by an organisation called Smartpups.
The dogs provide comfort and support for the child and help keep them out of trouble.
They are trained to track the child and warn others if he is in trouble.
The dogs cost $20,000 to breed and train. The family pays $15,000, with Smartpups picking up the balance.
The Archer’s campaign had raised about $9000 before the Christmas in July dinner, with about 70 people scheduled to attend.
“We ended up with more than 150 people, I can’t thank the Seabreeze enough for everything they did for us on the night with so many extra people,” Jessica Saunders said.
“By the end of the night our total was over $18,000 and we had achieved our goal of raising the money for Archer’s puppy.”
Mrs Saunders said the fundraising was not over just yet, with several events planned.
The money raised will help other families get a Smartpup of their own.
“It has gone so well and we have been so lucky,” Mrs Saunders said.
“We decided to keep going to see if we could raise the full amount so Smartpups can use the money to help another family get an assistance dog.
“That money could make all the difference in the world to another family in a similar position to us.”