Pride of Scotland winner Louise Russell who founded Scottish charity Give a Dog A Bone has been given a £15,000 donation from Omaze.
The award-winning charity that uses dogs to tackle loneliness will use the money to furnish a new centre in Dunfermline, Fife, where pensioners can spend time with their four-legged friends.
Louise Russell, 50, from Glasgow, who won a Pride of Scotland Award in 2022, founded the charity in 2013 to address two issues close to her heart – animal welfare and isolation in older people.
It supports over-60s to re-home rescue animals, boosting wellbeing in the older community, and helping to find loving forever homes for the animals.
It has also opened unique community spaces where retired people can make new friends, learn new skills and mix with dogs. Over-60s can pop in for a cup of tea and a chat or take part in free activities such as group dog walks, reflexology, chair yoga, line dancing, art and singing for well-being. Each community space also operates a pet food bank.
The charity currently has three community spaces, in Glasgow, Troon and Alloa, and Louise recently collected the keys to a fourth, an empty shop in Dunfermline.
Now thanks to the donation from the Omaze community, she will be able to make it ready to bring companionship dogs and older people together.
The Omaze – the company behind the famous Million Pound House Draw – donation will pay for a complete overhaul to make the Dunfermline centre ready to open its doors, including new flooring, a kitchen space, and comfortable seating.
Louise said: “I was in a second hand shop looking at old sofas when I got the call to say that Omaze would like to make a donation and support the work we do. I could not believe it – their generosity could not have come at a better time.
“Thanks to Omaze we can make the centre a real haven for the people of Dunfermline and their four-legged companions.”
“Dunfermline is an area of high elderly population and for many it will become a lifeline. This donation is going to make a huge difference to so many people and animals.”
James Oakes, President of Omaze, which is just about to launch its next Million Pound House Draw in Scotland, said: “Give A Dog A Bone is such an inspirational and heartwarming charity. You can’t help but smile when you see the joy the dogs bring to everyone, and we’re delighted that a donation on behalf of the Omaze community will help to spread that joy even further.”
Louise added: “Loneliness among the elderly and retired is a real problem in this country and there are less and less places for people to go and socialise.
“This makes spaces like ours invaluable as they bring communities together and offer activities which enhance well being. So many friendships have been forged in our centres.
“Work should be finished on our Dunfermline centre in early April, and we can’t wait to see even more folk getting to know our companionship dogs and making friends. 2025 has certainly got off to a good start and Omaze’s donation is the icing on the cake.
“The whole team here at Give A Dog A Bone could not be more grateful.”
– Nominations are well underway for this year’s Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards with P&O Cruises. Do you know someone as inspirational as Louise? If so go to www.prideofscotland.org
HOW TO NOMINATE
The closing date is Sunday, March 16, 2025.
P&O CRUISES INSPIRATION AWARD – Celebrating a remarkable individual or group who inspire everyone around them, or the wider world, with their positive spirit and awe-inspiring journey to achieve, or overcome adversity. They may deserve recognition for an extraordinary reaction to a defining or pivotal moment, or perhaps their actions have had an extraordinary impact.
OUTSTANDING BRAVERY – For adults who risk their own safety to help others in danger.
CHILD/TEENAGER OF COURAGE – For battling against the odds to help others or putting themselves at risk to save lives.
YOUNG FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR – To reward a person aged 16 or under for inspirational charity work.
EMERGENCY SERVICES AWARD – For police, fire, ambulance, paramedics or air, sea or mountain rescue who have gone beyond the call of duty to help others.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – To recognise far-reaching achievement, possibly on a national or international scale.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION – For achievements not covered in other categories, such as inspiring carers, campaigners and members of the Armed Forces
