Lockdown has provided the perfect name for a puppy being sponsored by a Sheffield law firm – meet Locky!

 Locky the lockdown Labrador is a puppy being trained by Sheffield charity, Support Dogs, to become a life-saving assistance dog to help someone affected by autism, epilepsy or disability.

The Sheffield office of global law firm CMS is looking to raise £20,000 to pay for Locky’s training. CMS chose Support Dogs to be its charity of the year in 2020 but due to the impact of the Covid pandemic, the firm has extended its partnership into 2021.

CMS has already run a large number of fundraising events, and a number of staff members are taking part in challenge events. They are also organising a charity ball in November and are sponsoring Support Dogs’ annual Mucky Pups Walk in December.

Support Dogs is a national charity based in Sheffield that trains assistance dogs for children with autism and adults with epilepsy and physical disabilities, enabling them to lead safer, more independent lives.

CMS Partner and head of the firm’s Northern offices Charity Committee, Tracey Marsden, said: “We are very proud to have Support Dogs as our Sheffield office charity partner.  This is a fantastic charity, and it is truly amazing to see the difference the assistance dogs make to the lives of those children and adults they are placed with.  We will be following the development of Locky over the next few years and look forward to celebrating his graduation as a fully trained Support Dog”. 

 Support Dogs’ corporate partnerships manager Chris Daykin said: “Locky’s the ideal name for this pup, who we hope will have a great future as a life-changing assistance dog. Like many other charities, lockdown has been tough and had a serious impact on income and ability to fundraise, so we are very grateful to CMS for all the fantastic support they have given us so far, and for extending their partnership with us for a further year.

Tracey is pictured left holding Locky, with CMS senior associate Sophie Thomas.