AN Andover woman has been honoured for raising thousands of pounds to help fund dogs for families with children needing support.

Hayley Kirby-Bulner has so far raised more than £40,000 through the fundraising page Just Giving to give children with autism ‘a helping paw’.

She has now been awarded Changemaker of the Year at an award night hosted by Just Giving.

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Hayley received the honour from television personality Kate Lawler at Just Giving Awards 2022 held at London’s iconic Camden Roundhouse on Monday, October 10.

The event, hosted by BBC Radio 1’s Vick Hope & Jordan North, honoured the inspirational stories and fundraising achievements of people from across the UK.

“I want to give a big thank you to our supporters for pushing us and getting us this far. Everyone here tonight, you're an inspiration with all the ways you help make a difference, thank you,” said Hayley, after receiving her award.

She decided to start fundraising after seeing how her autistic son was transformed by his assistance dog.

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Back in 2018, life was a huge struggle for her son Mancub.

He didn't interact speak or show emotions in any way shape or form. But a red spaniel puppy named Fern made an instant impact on Mancub.

Fern was sent for specialist training and over time she became Mancub's assistance dog.

During lockdown, Hayley fundraised for the Ann Conroy Trust which supports people with Chiari Malformation, a condition that Mancub has undergone two major neuro surgeries for.

After raising £10,000 for the trust, Hayley started a charity named Together Anything is Pawsible – Assistance Dogs to raise money to purchase and have trained dogs to support children with autism. The Just Giving fundraiser is part of this programme.

To contribute to Hayley’s mission, visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tapassistancedogs

Guests including Jamie Laing, Sophie Habboo, Lucy Mecklenburgh, Saffron Barker, Josh Patterson, Ryan, Adam and Scott Thomas were in attendance at the event to celebrate the extraordinary human beings making the world a better place.

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Tens of thousands of public nominations were cast for the finalists who attended the ceremony.

The winners ranged from a 12-year-old who raised over £600k by sleeping in a tent for months, to an 82-year-old mountain lover who decided he’d climb all 282 Scottish Munros in 1,200 days to help support people like his wife, who was diagnosed with dementia.