The event is being held in celebration of Josh Hennessey's life, a well known local of the South West Rocks community, who passed away abruptly last year at the age of 36.

The event is on Saturday, December 4 at Brighton Park with coffee available along with a cake stall and prize for the best dressed dog.

All proceeds from the day will go towards the Team Golden Oldies dog organisation (TGO).

Josh's mother and Rotary club member, Julie Hennessey said her son always loved animals, and she wanted to find a way to help others in his memory.

"People would take their dogs to where Josh was working, and he would fuss over them, so when he passed away, I thought for his birthday each year to honour him we would have this fundraiser," Julie said.

"To me, Joshua loved animals, but people also loved him, so it's a win-win, the people are happy and the dogs are saved."

TGO is an organisation that adopts elderly dogs in need of a home, and helps people who cannot afford life saving surgeries or medication for their dogs, by covering the costs for them.

They recently paid for a surgery where a woman's husband had passed away and their dog needed an operation. As the widow was still paying for the funeral costs, the group paid for the surgery to help her out.

Founder of the group, Lisa Domeny said she was touched that Julie thought of the organisation.

"It's wonderful that Julie has thought of the dogs and the team, and we want to pay it forward in honour of Josh, and hopefully save another dogs life," Lisa said.

Last year, the event raised enough money to cover the cost of a life saving surgery for a dog, and they hope to do it again.

"We paid for that and that was in Josh's memory, and this time we will pay for another one in his memory. Not only is he helping the dog itself, he is also helping the owner who is doing it tough," Lisa said.

If you would like to read more about the organisation, or make a donation in honour of Josh. You can visit their website here.

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