Balreed man helps retired Hall Green greyhounds

James Fernihough has a long association with Birmingham greyhound charity

Pictured is print player Balreed's James Fernihough, next to Marty the greyhound, making a £500 donation to the Hall Green Retired Greyhound Trust.

James Fernihough, a specialist in managed services sales who joined Balreed in September from Altodigital, has a long association with the charity, which provides a "forever home" for greyhounds retired from the racetrack.

"I have worked closely with Tracey Parbery and the Hall Green Trust for many years, helping with various fundraisers. And to be able to present them with this cheque is brilliant. I have seen first-hand the work they do and this money will go a long way," he said.

"I look forward to continuing my work with them and would like to thank everyone involved for their generous support."

The charity – one of 70 branches of the Retired Greyhound Trust – works to retrain, socialise and find homes for greyhounds that raced at the Hall Green stadium in Birmingham.

Tracey Parbery, treasurer at the Hall Green Retired Greyhound Trust, said it relies on donations to support the homing of retired greyhounds. This particular donation will support a 2015 event to be held at Worcester Cathedral marking the 40th anniversary of the retired-greyhound trust.

"James has long associated himself with this charity and recognises the importance of this vital work," she said.

Some 9,000 greyhounds are retired from UK racing each year and need to find loving, responsible homes, according to the charity. The trust requires about £3,000 a month to look after its greyhounds -- sponsorships are also available.