After 16 years of supporting Suffolk Community Foundation, Suffolk Dog Day has announced it will now be hosted and supporting independent Suffolk charity, St Elizabeth Hospice.

Launched in 2007 by volunteers, to raise awareness and financial support for the work of Suffolk Community Foundation, Suffolk Dog Day has become a staple event in the Suffolk calendar, raising more than £600,000 for Suffolk Community Foundation in the process.

Over the years, the annual event which celebrates man's best friend has grown from strength to strength and Suffolk Community Foundation were keen to find a new organiser to continue Suffolk Dog Day's evolution and they are pleased to announce the St Elizabeth Hospice team will now be hosting the event.

Taking place on Sunday, 10th September, at Helmingham Hall further details for Suffolk Dog Day 2023 will be announced in the coming months, but as ever it will be a day sure to get tails wagging in approval.

Melanie Craig, CEO Suffolk Community Foundation, said: "Finding the right organisation with the level of skills and resources to take Suffolk Dog Day forward has been very important to everyone involved in the journey of this event so far.

"We have every confidence that the brilliant team at St Elizabeth Hospice are in the best possible position to create an even brighter future for this important fundraising initiative and much-loved date in the Suffolk calendar." 

Valuable funds raised by Suffolk Dog Day 2023 will go towards the work of St Elizabeth Hospice. An independent charity, which every year delivers specialist palliative care to more than 3,000 people living with a progressive or life-limiting illness, and their families, throughout East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Annually this service costs £12.9 million to deliver, with 70% of these funds being generated by the local community's support of the hospice's income streams, for example retail shops, events – such as Suffolk Dog Day, individual fundraising as well as gifts in Wills and donations.

Hannah Bloom, Director of Income Generation at St Elizabeth Hospice, added: "Suffolk Dog Day is a wonderful community event and we are delighted to work with Suffolk Community Foundation to take the reins and deliver a brilliant day for the county.

"We are grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to develop Suffolk Dog Day into a hugely successful event that attracts approximately 3,000 people each year.

"To be able to organise this event for the community but also to raise vital funds for St Elizabeth Hospice at the same time is a wonderful opportunity and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to Helmingham Hall."

Find out more about Suffolk Dog Day here - www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/suffolkdogday

To find out more about St Elizabeth Hospice call 01473 723600 or visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk.