A COMMUNITY effort has very nearly raised enough money to help pay for life-saving surgery for a Wrexham family's dog.

Stephanie Rice set up a GoFundMe page with the aim of collecting £1,000 to help her dog Duke.

The 10-year-old has a mass on his left-hand side, located on his rib cage.

Stephanie says that it started out as a 'fatty lump' and claims that she was told by a vet a year ago that it would be fine to leave alone.

She said: "They told me that I am paying insurance for nothing as it wouldn't be covered so I took the vet's advice and cancelled it. That's when the problem began, the lump began to grow.

"Now, Duke doesn't have insurance and he's had multiple tests done to find out the cause of the lump and all have come back inconclusive. I had several tests done that I have paid for and the fluid has been drained from the lump.

"The vets wanted to do another biopsy however we think this will come back inconclusive again and think it's best to remove the mass.

"As I work full time and live alone with the cost of living crisis and him not being insured I cannot afford his treatment. The vets advised I seek help with costs of treatment however most charities won't be able to help me as I am not on benefits or at risk of being homeless.

"I am doing my best to save and work as a babysitter offering my services at evenings and weekends to raise money towards his treatment. However the lump is only getting bigger and will eventually affect his ability to walk and stop him from doing things that he loves."

To Stephanie's amazement, the Wrexham community has stepped in over the last few days to raise £728 for Duke's treatment (correct at time of writing).

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Stephanie, who added a picture of Duke's vet quotes to the fundraising page to prove the cost of surgery, said: "He has been in my life just over nine years and I want to do what's best for him. I have been given a quote by the vets for his mass removal and pain relief and if it's a complex surgery, which it can be due to the mass size, it can be £995-£1,000. This includes sending the mass off for tests and blood work and surgery prep alongside pain relief after his surgery."

On the support received from the Wrexham community, she added: "I am very grateful for all the help and support people have given me and Duke over the past few days.

"We weren't expecting any donations at all so the fact we are over half way is amazing. It shows you that nice people do exist and we are so thankful for everything we have received so far."