THE search is on to find a generous cabbie who waived a fare after hearing of his passenger's passion for a charity.

Anne Barlow took a black cab from Basingstoke railway station to her Gabriel Park home on Thursday night and her conversation with her driver turned to the work she does for Schnauzerfest, a nationwide fundraising collection of walks with schnauzers held on Saturday and Sunday.

When Anne arrived at her destination, the driver waived her £11 fare and said make sure the money goes to her charity instead.

Anne, who works in The City of London, said: "He was such a nice guy.

"It really touched me as it is those small things that make you believe in people. That £11 may not sound a lot but to a small charity it makes a difference."

Schnauzerfest raises money for the Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre (DBARC), based in Berkshire. The centre provides care and veterinary treatment for many animals, including schnauzers that have experienced the terrible conditions of puppy farms and other rough backgrounds.

Anne began her involvement volunteering with the cause after reading a book by Schnauzerfest founder Janetta Harvey, who adopted a schnauzer who was rescued from a puppy farm and fostered at DBARC.

Now, Anne has provided homes for two dogs to have benefited from the cause, Mabel and Bella, both seven. Mabel had her eyesight restored due to the work of the charity.

The 52-year-old is keen to get the identity of the driver, who was parked up in the rank outside the station, and to meet him.

Anne added: "I didn't get his name which I am gutted about. But I want to try to find him and maybe get a picture of him with our rescue dogs!"

Schnauzerfest itself took place over the weekend with more than 60 fundraising walks held up and down the country.

Donations to Schnauzerfest can be made at schnauzerfest.org.

To help link up Anne with her generous cab driver, email newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk.

Update: The generous driver has been named as Peter West. The Gazette is attempting to connect Mr West with Anne Barlow.