Supporting Sheffield’s Retired Greyhounds: How Gala Tent Delivered More Than Shelter

At Gala Tent, we believe in giving back to the communities that surround us. When we opened an email from Darren, a volunteer at the Sheffield Retired Greyhounds charity, on Monday morning, it wasn’t just another message in the inbox—it was a call to action.

The charity, dedicated to rehoming retired racing greyhounds, was gearing up for a Christmas fair that weekend to raise much-needed funds. But they were missing a crucial piece of equipment: a sturdy, professional gazebo to shelter their stall from the winter weather and help them stand out among the bustling market. Their old gazebo had succumbed to poor weather and was a broken shadow of its former self, so with just days to go, Darren reached out to us, and we couldn’t ignore the urgency.

A Charity Close to Our Hearts

Sheffield Retired Greyhounds is based in the neighbouring town, and their mission is one we’re deeply passionate about. Here at Gala Tent, we’re a team of animal lovers, with several office dogs regularly snoozing by our desks. Their wagging tails and happy barks remind us daily of the importance of caring for our furry friends. So, supporting the humans behind these retired greyhounds was an easy decision.

After speaking with Donna Williams at the charity to understand their needs, we decided to provide them with a Gala Shade Pro DX pop-up gazebo, complete with custom printing to proudly display their logo.

The Perfect Gazebo for a Great Cause

The Gala Shade Pro DX is a lightweight, steel-framed gazebo designed for quick and easy assembly. It’s so simple that one person can set it up solo in just minutes—a feature we knew would make life easier for the charity’s busy volunteers at future events.

The charity's team chose a neutral grey canopy for its professional appearance, and we added durable vinyl printing of the charity’s logo on the valance. This printing isn’t just for show—it’s UV-protected, ensuring it will remain vibrant and clear for years, even after prolonged exposure to the elements.

The Pro DX is ideal for outdoor events like the Christmas fair, offering reliable shelter from the unpredictable British weather while also providing a polished, branded look to help the charity attract attention and support.

Delivering More Than Just a Gazebo

By Thursday morning, our company director Andrew Scott and Marketing Manager Ryan were personally delivering the gazebo to the charity's base in a snow covered Wortley on the outskirts of Sheffield. We met with Lynda Cattlin, who runs the kennels with her husband Roy, supported tirelessly by Donna, Zena, Rebecca and an army of volunteer dog walkers who give up their time to ensure the dogs are exercised regularly.

Seeing how thrilled the team were with their new gazebo made the effort worthwhile.

Lisa Mace, our COO, summed up our feelings perfectly:

"We love all things canine here at Gala Tent—our staff regularly bring their furry friends from home to keep them happy and healthy, so we have several office dogs that call our HQ home during the week. Anything we can do to help their human friends raise vital cash, we will do."

Why It Matters

Sheffield Retired Greyhounds works tirelessly to ensure these gentle, affectionate dogs have the chance to live out their retirement in loving homes. They rehome over 250 dogs each year, and have up to 26 dogs on site at any one time. Fundraising events like the Christmas fair are essential for supporting their mission, from vet care to rehoming initiatives.

By donating the Gala Shade Pro DX gazebo, we hope we’ve not only solved an immediate problem for the charity but also provided them with a long-term solution to support their fundraising efforts at future events.

How You Can Help

If you’d like to support the incredible work being done by Sheffield Retired Greyhounds, you can learn more and make a donation by visiting their website. Every penny helps give these wonderful dogs the second chance they deserve.

At Gala Tent, we’re not just in the business of marquees and gazebos—we’re in the business of supporting communities and causes that matter. This story isn’t about the product we donated; it’s about how the right tools can make a difference. We’re proud to have been a small part of Sheffield Retired Greyhounds’ journey and look forward to seeing their new gazebo in action.