PASSERS-BY were given paws for thought as a charity was given a windfall.

Specialist care and housing provider Southdown is supporting Sussex Caring Pets as its charity of the year.

Southdown chief executive Neil Blanchard took five of the charity’s volunteer dogs for a quick walk in Brighton and Hove before handing over a £600 cheque.

The not-for-profit organisation provides services to more than 9,500 vulnerable people across Sussex each year and employs 950 staff. Workers are planning to raise even more money by holding a series of events throughout this year.

The charity, based near Uckfield, has teams of volunteers who take their therapy support dogs and cats to visit those who would benefit from the stimulus of interaction with an animal.

This includes people in hospitals, hospices, residential care homes or in main or special needs schools.