Blind golfer tee-ing off fundraising drive for Guide Dogs

Guide Dogs is tee-ing off a campaign to encourage golf clubs to support the charity, supported by guide dog owner and golfing history-maker Malcolm Elrick.

Malcolm, who recently became the first blind person to captain a golf team, explains:

"My guide dog, Ember, has played a big part in my golfing success. I couldn't have done it without him.  He has taken me on planes and trains all over the country, including Ireland and Scotland, allowing me to compete in blind golf tournaments.

"I would struggle to have the confidence to leave the house, let alone play golf, if it wasn't for my trusty four legged companion.  That's why I encourage golf clubs throughout the country to contact Guide Dogs, and raise money for this life-changing charity."

For further information on Guide Dogs' fundraising and how to request a fundraising pack call 0870 600 23 23.

Malcolm is a member of Horsforth Golf Club in Yorkshire, the English Blind

Golf Association and the English blind golf international team. Playing with

a sighted guide, he won the English Blind Golf Order of Merit last year, and is setting his sights on qualifying for the world championships in 2010.

His recent election as the rabbits section team captain at Horsforth Golf Club coincided with taking ownership of a new guide dog, Lola, a spinone, after eight years of faithful service from Ember, a Labrador retriever.

Malcolm's wife, Lesley, who is secretary at the club, says: "Ember has transformed Malcolm's life and given him back his independence. Malcolm had become housebound, withdrawn, and dependent on others to go out.

"Now he's independent. He can do what he wants when he wants. He comes and goes around the clubhouse. And people are always interested in his dog."

Sal Chapman from Guide Dogs fundraising team added: "Guide dogs provide freedom and confidence to their blind and partially sighted owners, allowing them to live their dreams.

"Thanks to Ember, Malcolm's sight loss has proved no barrier to competing as a talented golfer at the highest level. We hope he's an inspiration to his golfing colleagues, and that they'll sign up for a fundraising drive or afternoon tee."