ONE man and his dog have been rewarded for a decade of tireless fundraising.
The pair have collected £400,000 for charity over the past ten years – and aim to hit £1m in the next three years.
Barry Atkinson, 69, of Woodside House, Newark, and his dog Spider raised the money while trying to break game-shooting records.
Barry has visited 1,000 game shoots in ten years as a beater.
A beater, shepherding a dog by their side, drives game towards a shooting line 50 to 60 metres away.
Barry said game and grouse shooting forms an essential part of countryside and nature conservation.
"It's at the very heart of good husbandry of the countryside.
"A lot of people don't understand the conservation work that goes into it."
Now Cancer Research UK have presented Barry and Spider, a golden springer spaniel, with a national award for their "outstanding contribution."
He raised £200,000 for the charity and another £2000,000 for the National Gamekeepers' Education Trust.
Barry said he wasn't in it for the praise but was thrilled to accept the charity's Flame of Hope Award at a ceremony last Friday.
"True fundraisers, don't do it for any award but when there is a bit of acknowledgement it's very pleasing."
It's been part of a charity scheme called Spider's Appeal named after his first pup, also named Spider, who was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour when he started the beater record break.
Barry and his dogs have travelled to 100 counties at 1,000 shoots across the UK.
It's often meant he's been forced to sleep in his car in between events.
"It really has been that demanding" he said.
"Often you'll have to be driving in the dark to the next shoot which might be hundreds of miles away."
The companionship of his dogs has been a both crucial and unique friendship.
"Humans often fall behind dogs in my estimation. Dogs are faithful, they are hard working, they have the qualities we all aspire to.
"People might think I'm a softie in the head about dogs but I do think they're wonderful creatures."
Now with £400,000 in the bag, Barry says he will crack towards his £1m target over the next few years – but not catching up with his housework.
Simon O'Leary , Cancer Research UK's head of volunteering, said Barry's contributions had been spectacular.
He said: "This money has been spent on a range of research projects that will benefit cancer patients and their families in every community in the UK.
"I'd like to thank Barry, Spider, and all the people who have made this possible."
For more information about Barry and Spider's Appeal head to www.spidersappeal.co.uk
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