SEVEN retriever puppies have provided a ‘golden’ opportunity to boost the Wheels for Will Appeal and the Will Clark Fund.

The five-week-old puppies have been found new homes and, in exchange, each new owner has made a donation to the fundraising effort to help Will regain a measure of his former life.

The puppies were born to Dobson, a golden retriever, owned by Paul and Elaine Nelson, of Grasmere.

“We’ve found homes for all the puppies and, in exchange, the people who take them are giving a donation to be shared between the Wheels for Will Appeal and the Will Clark Fund,” said Mrs Nelson.

“Our daughter, Sophie, went to school with Will, so we wanted to do something really special to help him.

“The puppies provided the ideal opportunity, and they are all going to very good homes.”

Meanwhile, fundraising for Will is being boosted by events arranged around the district.

At the Athenaeum, Leasgill, proceeds from Art & Clay 2012, a selling exhibition of paintings, jewellery, and pottery, will be donated to the Wheels for Will Appeal, while an annual night-time swim in Rydal Water, organised by Pete Kelly and Andrea Tucker, of the Lake District Open Water Swimming Club, raised £90 for the Will Clark Fund.