The Caledonian Sleeper is once again supporting the Give a Dog a Bone charity, one of its official charity partners, by running a raffle with the prize of a return journey for two in a Caledonian Sleeper Club en suite room.

Give a Dog a Bone is aims to tackle loneliness and rehoming dogs by helping the over 60s to afford a rescue pet as a companion. It has been shown that the mental and physical wellbeing of older adults derive great benefit from having pets and regular contact with other people.

The inspiration for Give a Dog a Bone came from the realisation about loneliness as we get older, and about the number of animals that were in shelters without a loving home. The charity provides two key services:

• Financial support to those over 60 who struggle to afford the monthly costs that come with looking after a pet.
• It also covers the one-off cost of rehoming a pet so that people over 60 can afford to have a rescue pet as companion. That is win/win, as the person gets a friend, and the animal is rewarded with a loving home.

The charity has Community Spaces in Shawlands, Troon and Alloa where anyone over 60 is welcome to enjoy a free cup of tea whilst enjoying the company of the companionship dogs, staff and volunteers. For over 60s the Spaces also provide group activities and free relaxing therapy treatments, where their beloved canine companions are also welcome.

Tickets for the raffle with a first prize of an amazing journey on the Caledonian Sleeper cost 10 each and are on sale until Sunday, 12 November, with the lucky winner being chosen on the following Thursday ,12 November. Raffle tickets can be purchased from the Give a Dog a Bone website at https://www.giveadogabone.net/.