Guide Dog Travis will go to the Ball

Inspirational guide dog owner Scott Cunningham and his canine companion Travis have switched their waterproofs and walking boots for tuxedo and dancing shoes for their latest fundraising venture – the Travis Trek Ball at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel on 25 September.

Money raised at the event will be split between Guide Dogs and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust. Helping getting everyone into the party spirit will be MC Dougie Donnelly while guests will be able to rub shoulders with sporting greats from the world of golf and football, including Rangers FC legends Terry Hurlock, Arthur Newman, Mark Hately and Gordon Durie, to name but a few.

Scott, a recent winner of the Institute of Fundraising’s Award for Voluntary Fundraiser of the Year, has now raised over £100,000 for Guide Dogs and is hoping to raise the bar even further with the proceeds from the Ball.

Over the years, Scott and Travis have trekked the West Highland Way, in both directions, as well as the ultra-challenging Pennine Way, supported by personnel from the Royal Marine Commandos. In the past two years, they have been joined by some of Rangers FC’s legends

Scott says: ‘Without the support from the Royal Marines we just couldn’t have achieved what we did on the treks. They kept us going through hail, rain, shine and snow and now both Travis and I want to give something back.’

To date, Scott’s fundraising efforts have gone to name and sponsor puppies that will one day go on to become fully-fledged guide dogs themselves. Many of these names have a Royal Marine connection or are in memory of colleagues who have sadly not returned from war.

Scott adds: ‘First and foremost, we are fundraisers for Guide Dogs, although with Travis coming up for retirement, we need to find less strenuous ways of doing it. We thought the Travis Trek Ball might be the way forward and we hope it will become an annual event.’

‘If you would like to support use by offering a raffle or auction prize, or take an advert in the programme, you can call me on 07979 956932. Or why not just come along and enjoy a great night out. Tickets are only £50 and are available from scott@travistrek.co.uk or by calling 07979 956932.’

To read Scot and Travis’ story so far, go to www.legendstrek.co.uk.

Guide Dogs wants a society in which blind and partially-sighted people enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else.

Guide dogs are not the only service we provide. We also supply other mobility services such as white cane training, we campaign to break down barriers preventing blind and partially-sighted people getting about on their own and we fund ophthalmic research.

The guide dog service receives no government funding - it is supported entirely by the generosity of the public.

There are around 4,500 guide dogs in the UK.