AS the nation fell in love with a Boxer dog last week, courtesy of the John Lewis Christmas advert, Sherfield School was paid a visit from its own special pup.

The Hook school hosted guide dog puppy Alfie and his volunteer trainer Ellen Young from Guide Dogs for the Blind last Tuesday.

Sherfield students had been raising money throughout the year, including a sponsored walk with Alfie, Mrs Young and fellow guide dog, Samson.

As a result the school was able to present Ellen with a cheque for £933.70, with funds going towards sponsoring and naming a new-born puppy with the charity.

This isn’t the first success Sherfield has had with the charity, with the annual walk in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind meaning the school has sponsored a number of dogs across the years, with the first, Doodles, now working as a stud dog for guide dog puppies.

Nursery children will choose a name for the sponsored puppy next year, when the final target of £1, 500 has been reached and head of nursery Sandra Battershall expressed her excitement at working with the charity.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Guide Dog charity again. The sponsored walks at Sherfield have now become an annual event in our beautiful grounds.

“We had a great turnout and brilliant support from our Early Years children and their parents. We are very grateful to Ellen Young and Carol Herring and all of the training puppies that they have brought along for our lovely walks.”