LJMU raise the 'woof' at the Mowgli Dog Show 2025

News story written and video content produced by LJMU Screen School Students Stephen Hornby and Sophie Brooks

The Mowgli Dog Show returned this weekend in aid of Claire House Children’s Hospice. LJMU was the main sponsor for the show as both charity partner to the hospice and in support of its Chancellor, the event founder, Nisha Katona.

This year the show was celebrating its 7th year at Claremont Farm in Bebington, with LJMU Chancellor and founder of restaurant business Mowgli, Nisha Katona MBE, saying: “It’s one of the best ways to bring people together, to gather around the love of dogs in the region. I also have a real passion for Claire House Children’s Hospice, and those incredible families, and that incredible organisation that is there for us in this region. I built the Mowgli Dog Show with every penny of profit going to Claire House.”

The chancellor explained the inspiration for the dog show came from when her whippet, David, won grand champion at a local dog show. Now the Mowgli Dog Show brings local dog-lovers together to compete in a series of events such as agility, fancy dress, waggiest tail and even sausage catching, alongside a host of local food, drink and entertainment all weekend long, raising funds for Claire House in support of their work with seriously and terminally ill babies, children and young people.

It was LJMU’s first time at the event, showcasing its research and study options with a host of student-led activities and canine-themed bespoke branding designed by Graphic Design student Charlotte Wood who also sketched attendees’ pet pooches as event takeaways. 

Experts from the School of Computer Science and Mathematics brought along two robot dogs to showcase the university’s knowledge in technology and engineering, while the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences used microscopes to offer insights into research that the university undertakes in areas such as climate change and the environment.

It makes me incredibly proud that LJMU are involved with this dog show. As Chancellor, I’ve spent a lot of time going around the university and getting to know the departments, and that’s my other family. To then bring that family here, to support this dog show which is at the heart of Mowgli, and the heart of all that I do, it’s such a gorgeous synergy – it really is moving.

Nisha Katona, LJMU Chancellor and Mowgli founder 

LJMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Power, who also attended the event, said: “For me this is incredibly important, it showcases the university, but also really ensures that we have that community engagement. We recognise we are not an isolated institution, we are very much part of the community of the wider Liverpool City Region.”

Professor Power went on to say: “Claire House is one of our university corporate charities, so again it’s really important that we provide financial support through events like this.

Having students volunteering at events the way they have done this weekend, it really just broadens their experience, and adds to their CV. It allows them to engage with the community in a way that’s really important.

LJMU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark Power

LJMU’s charity partners

LJMU is partnered with four local charities - Claire House Children’s Hospice, The Girls’ Network, Local Solutions and Micah Liverpool - to support their work in the Liverpool City Region.  

Building upon its established relationships with each charity, the new partnership agreements established in January 2025 aim to extend and enhance further opportunities for collaboration.

Claire House Children’s Hospice

Claire House Children’s Hospice helps seriously and terminally ill babies, children and young people to live life to the full by creating wonderful experiences and bringing back a sense of normality to family life.

LJMU Chancellor Nisha Katona

Nisha Katona MBE became LJMU’s first alumni Chancellor in January 2022 and is an ambassador, advocate and role model for both our students and staff.

After studying law at LJMU, she went on to work as a Barrister for nearly 20 years before setting up her own business, Mowgli, one of the fastest growing restaurant movements in the country. She is a regular broadcaster, has written several books and speaks on a range of themes relating to entrepreneurship, women in leadership and the hospitality sector.

Nisha presides over the university’s bi-annual graduation ceremonies at Liverpool Cathedral. She returns to campus regularly in her role as Chancellor to meet with students and staff, taking great interest in the activities of the students and the progress of the university.