THE NEEDLESS death of a puppy led a Huddersfield couple to launch a fundraising drive.

Puppy Appeal, launched by David and Christine McGregor, of Deighton, will raise cash for Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, near Rochdale, and Hull Animal Welfare Trust.

Both organisations offer a home for life to dogs that cannot be re-homed in the normal way. Their kindness often saves the animals from being put down.

Puppy Appeal will be launched with a charity concert at Deighton Working Men's Club on June 18.

The concert, which starts at 8pm, will feature Leeds singer Kira.

There will also be a raffle.

Funds have already started rolling in thanks to the couple's friend Chris Davidson, of Deighton.

He decided to diet to lose a stone and has already raised £160 after losing 12lbs.

David and Christine adopted eight-week-old Sacha, just before Christmas last year.

He was one of 11 golden labrador puppies found abandoned in a skip at Sowerby Bridge.

He was declared healthy and was vaccinated but soon became ill and died..

The couple were told Sacha died from canine parvovirus, as did several of the dog's brothers and sisters.

The disease is contracted from unsanitary conditions. The virus can live outside of its host for long periods and can therefore be transmitted from objects, not just other animals.

Dogs can be infected for a while before showing obvious signs and it is hard to diagnose.

Christine said: "The reason we wanted to set up the puppy appeal was to save any other puppy suffering the terrible death ours did. "After being so upset, I decided if there was any way I could save another animal from this illness then I would.

"I decided to organise the concert. Both charities require public donations to exist and have a policy of never putting animals down.

"A lot of people have said this is the only appeal they have heard of which is specifically for puppies."

Christine's sister, who lives in Selby, helped the couple get over Sacha's loss by finding them an almost identical puppy from Hull Animal Welfare Trust.

The puppy, called Jess, is healthy and happily getting along with the couple's 10-year-old dog, Bobby.

Tickets for the concert will cost £1.

Anyone who wants to donate prizes for the raffle, or who wants tickets for the concert, can contact Christine McGregor on 01484 314601.