Hypo Hounds, which trains dogs to detect changes to their Type 1 diabetic owner’s blood sugar level, has launched an appeal for hundreds of thousands of pounds to avoid closure.

It “urgently” needs to raise £150,000 to continue training puppies this year and warns that £250,000 will be needed “to secure the charities future for another year”.

The appeal has been launched as it is “currently facing a challenging time, not just for ourselves but for many charities like ours”, including increases to the National Insurance employers' contributions that came into force in April.

“With grant funders drying up and businesses going into liquidation, coupled with the astronomical fees we have to pay to the government for employing staff, the need for unrestricted funds has never been more urgent,” said the Maidstone, Kent, based charity.

“These dogs are not just animals; they are future lifesaving assistance dogs but they are also companions for the whole family that will change lives and bring joy to those in need.”

The charity says that through the work of the dogs it trains, hospital admissions can be prevented and the lives of those with Type 1 Diabetes are improved.

“Time is ticking and we desperately need help,” said that charity, which added “without funding the future is looking bleak”.

So far £28,426 has been raised through its Just Giving page

According to the charity register Hypo Hounds its income for the 12 months to March 2022 to the end of March 2024 was £396,860 but over the same period it spent £502,110.

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