26 News from Cheshire    Spring has finally arrived here in the North West after a cold and seemingly   endless winter. We thought that the snow and ice would never melt. Thank goodness we didn't arrange any events for early in the New Year. It was a pleasure to meet up with many of our friends and fellow volunteers at our first fundraiser of 2010, which was held on March 14th, Mothers Day, at Ashton Pets at Home. We have a fantastic group of loyal volunteers, all of whom share our passion for greyhound and galgo welfare. It was heartwarming to receive so many phone calls and emails asking when the next event would be. Many friendships have begun at our events. We don't just fundraise we socialise as well. In December 2009 we organised a Thank You lunch for our volunteers which was well attended and very enjoyable. The GIN Trustees very kindly made a generous contribution to the cost of the lunch. This recognition of their      support and commitment was much appreciated by all the volunteers.   As we predicted in the last newsletter, 2009 was a record year for            fundraising here in Cheshire and the North West. We hope to do even better in 2010 as we have been invited back to many of last year's most successful   venues. Our Fun Dog Shows have proved particularly popular and we are       organising events at Appleton Thorn, near Warrington and Weavervale Garden Centre, near Northwich in the coming months. We are looking forward to our twice yearly visits to the seaside, to Cleveleys, near Blackpool in May and September and to joint events with our friends from other greyhound charities including a Treasure Trail in Delamere Forest in April and The Great Northern Greyhound Gathering at Marbury Country Park in May. Sue and supporters fundraising   at Pets at Home, Cheshire