Gearing up for Guide Dogs Week

Gearing up for Guide Dogs Week

It’s getting a tad hectic here at Guide Dogs. Staff and volunteers up and down the UK are working incredibly hard, getting ready to “Go for 80” and there are some truly amazing events taking shape.

In Cardiff, they’re going 80s mad, planning a themed event on 14 October. There’ll be 80s fancy dress, 80s music and 80s competitions, as well as an auction (our guess is that the lots will include shoulder pads, hairspray and Spandau Ballet’s greatest hits).

Meanwhile, staff and volunteers in Merseyside are gearing up for one heck of an 80^th birthday party in Wallasey, where Guide Dogs began. As well as a “Go Walkies” event along New Brighton promenade, there’s going to be a procession of guide dog owners ending at the statue of Sid, the first guide dog. To top it all off there’ll be a party in the Floral Pavillion with guide dog demonstrations, obstacle courses and, we’re assured, tea and cake.

And in London, the Inner London team will be parking an open-top, double decker bus right in the middle of Covent Garden, filling it with guide dog owners, puppy walkers, staff and supporters and getting a lot of attention.

This is just a tiny taster of what’s happening - judging by the sheer number of events you’re telling us about, this is going to be the best Guide Dogs Week ever. And the more of us who get involved, the more blind and partially sighted people we can set on the road to freedom.

Help us keep up with everything that’s going on by telling us what you’re doing in your area, how your preparations are going and how people can join in with your activities.

And get in quickly – we’re expecting a deluge!

If you would like to get involved in Guide Dogs Week 2011, please contact your local volunteering office on 0845 371 7771 or your local fundraising team on 0870 600 2323.