Sunderland businesses have launched a last minute appeal to raise funds to ensure the city retains one of their Great North Snowdogs. 

All of the dogs - which are raising funds for St Oswald's Hospice - are going under the hammer next week (6 December) and the hope is that with the public's help, a Sunderland Snowdog can be saved and permanently homed in Wearside.

Sunderland has seen thousands of visitors coming to the city who have been involved in the trail. It would be a great shame for the people of Sunderland, to not keep a lasting reminder. 

In the event that we are unsuccessful in bidding for a dog - all funds raised will still be donated to St Oswald's Hospice so that they can carry on offering a high quality of support to the region.