SHE is the invaluable carer who takes out the washing, picks up the post and helps with the shopping.

But this little helper has four legs and a tail.

Alucia the labrador is one of hundreds of assistance dogs trained by the charity Canine Partners

They help disabled people with everyday tasks able-bodied people take for granted, such as unloading the washing machine, opening and closing a cupboard door and picking items off a shelf at the supermarket.

Alucia is partnered with Pam Quick, who lives off Willerby Road, west Hull.

Now, Pam, who has used a wheelchair since breaking bones in her back in 2000, is saying thank you to Canine Partners by raising money to mark its 25th anniversary.

“I don’t know what I did before Alucia,” said Pam. “She helps me undress, can tug off clothing, so I am not reliant on a carer to take off a jacket or trousers, and she can help me put them on.

“Alucia fetches the post and picks up dropped phones.

“She undoes my washing machine, takes out the washing and puts it in a basket, then drags it into the lounge and hands me items to put over the dryer.

“She has dragged the washing into the garden and assisted me by picking up sections of a sheet so that I can peg it on the line. Before I had her, that was my carer’s job. Now, I am more in control.”

Since 1990, Canine Partners has paired people with 530 assistance dogs across the UK.

Pam, who has antiphospholipid or “sticky blood” syndrome, osteoporosis, asthma and spinal cord degeneration, was partnered with Alucia in 2012.

“Arthritis in my hands means I often drop items, and I have no control over my right leg,” she said.

“Everyday items like a pen, my mobile phone, my purse, to name but a few, Alucia can pick them all up and return them to my hand.

“I am regularly dropping my car keys. When your car self-locks, your car keys are on the floor and you can’t reach them from your wheelchair, it’s like the film Alien – when you are in space, no one can hear you scream.

“You can be stuck in a locked car and no one can hear you banging on the window.

“But now I have Alucia, she picks up the keys, three or four times sometimes, until I have them safely in my hand and I can get out of the car.”

Pam says she would love to raise £10,000, enough to pay for a puppy and its training.

She will celebrate her 60th birthday next month with a fundraising party.

She said: “I want everyone to come, it doesn’t matter that they don’t know me.”

Other events she is organising include a family day this summer at David Lloyd Leisure Centre, with people being sponsored to take part in challenges towards her “60 Years Alive” fund, and a charity abseil down Hull College on Sunday, September 13.

“I am not sure I will be able to do it myself – my GP says I might fracture too many bones – but I am going to turn up on the day and see how I am,” she said.

“I have 50 volunteers so far and it would be great to get another 50.”

Pam is one of a number of people organising challenges to part Canine Partners’ 25th anniversary.

The charity’s chief executive, Andy Cook, said: “This year is going to be very exciting for all of us at the charity, as we aim to place another 80-plus dogs with disabled people.

“But to continue to grow and help as many applicants as possible, we need the public to support us.

“Everyone can take part this year in one of our 25 challenges that are listed on our website.”

Angie Hall, who trains puppies for Canine Partners, is also on the lookout for “puppy parents” in the Hull area to take puppies into their homes until their advanced training begins at the age of about 14 months.

She said: “Being a puppy parent is a huge commitment but it is wonderfully rewarding.

“In Hull and East Yorkshire we are desperate for foster parents, who can step in when a puppy parent goes on holiday.

“This could be ideal for someone who is thinking about becoming a puppy parent and has a number of days or weeks available.”

Pam’s birthday party is being held at David Lloyd Leisure Centre in Kingswood, on Friday, July 10, from 7pm to 1am. She is hoping to sell 120 tickets at £10 each. The event will include a buffet, entertainment and a raffle. For tickets, text 07920487740. For information about her other fundraising events visit www.facebook.com/groups/60yearsalive. For information about Canine Partners, visit caninepartners.org.uk