Andrew Cotter will now commentate on your dog video for charity

Andrew Cotter may have been best known for commentating on Tigers on the fairway than dogs but the Covid-19 pandemic has changed all that – and now he is offering to commentate on your dog video for charity Dogs For Good.

The BBC sports commentator, who has been a staple of the Beeb’s golf coverage for years, has become a social media sensation in the absence of elite sport by covering his competing Labradors Olive and Mabel.

Some sports are slower. More about the strategy. pic.twitter.com/JMBaGJ1tSd

— Andrew Cotter (@MrAndrewCotter) April 9, 2020

Hordes of dog lovers have followed the pair speed-eating their breakfast or competing over a toy bone with Cotter’s hushed tones covering all the action and racking up 30 million views on Twitter in the process.

And that popularity has seen Cotter team up with Dogs For Good to offer a fan the chance to have their canine companions receive the same treatment.

All you have to do is post of a 60-second video on Twitter under the hashtag #winningfromhome to be in with a chance to win. Organisers are asking for clips ranging from high-energy assault courses to mundane sofa snoozes.

“I was made aware of Dogs for Good by my friend and professional golfer, Eddie Pepperall and also Sky Sports presenter, Sarah Stirk – who is already an ambassador to the charity,” says Andrew Cotter. “The work Dogs for Good undertakes is life-changing, powerful and something I’m really happy to support.

“I’m also hoping they’ll be able to give me a few training tips for Olive and Mabel… although that ship may have already sailed.”

Dogs For Good’s work makes a difference for people living with a wide range of disabilities and conditions, including autism, physical disabilities, dementia and learning disabilities through the help of a specially trained dog.

“We’re hugely grateful for Andrew for his help with this,” says Dogs for Good chief executive Peter Gorbing. “Andrew’s films have made us all smile, but what’s also clear is just how much dogs mean to so many of us at this time.

“Our work remains as vital as ever and every donation will help us to continue our work to support people.”

Thanks for all the messages here. They have no idea what’s going on in the world or that they are being laughed at in many countries. In fact they have little clue about anything at the best of times, but anyone who has a dog knows how important they are just now. pic.twitter.com/InfXkntvCb

— Andrew Cotter (@MrAndrewCotter) April 11, 2020

Get your entry in by Sunday May 17 – it’s free to enter but Dogs For Good are asking people to consider a £2 donation to the charity to support their work.

The Big Issue recently recognised the important role that dogs play in the lives of our vendors both on their pitches and in lockdown. Chris from Bath and his loyal dog pal Mack graced the cover of the magazine, you can get your copy from The Big Issue Shop or digitally via The Big Issue app. And you can subscribe to the magazine so you never miss a copy again from the app or at bigissue.com/subscribe.