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Branch news
Steve Marklew, breaks British and European record running in London Marathon and raises £450 for Guide Dogs
Steve Marklew is an inspiration to us all. Two years ago, at 45, he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa and id registered as severely sight-impaired/ blind. He has continued to run and in fact he is the mens coach at a local athletics club (Royal Sutton Coldfield A.C). At the moment he continues to run without a guide. For the marathon he trained 6 days a week from January clocking up around 70miles a week plus 50miles on his bike! As you can see he was rewarded for his effort by making a fantastic time of 2:36:58 and breaking the British and European record for his sight category T13. What an achievement!
Streetly School class 8MS says farewell to puppy in training ‘Bertie’
The Streetly School adopted Sandwell & Walsall Puppy Walker Madge Nightingale and her puppy in training ‘Bertie’ last term and this proved very popular for both school and Madge. Madge paid 6 weekly visits to class 8MS and their teacher Ms Loundon giving talks on Guide Dogs and information on how they can assist blind and partially-sighted people in their community. At the same time the class had the opportunity to watch how Bertie grew and developed in his training to become a qualified guide dog. The class throughout their term raised money through name a puppy competition, cake sale, guess the sweets in a jar and a non uniform day rewarding Guide Dogs with £510. Alas the partnership between class 8MS and Bertie finishes on 22 July as Bertie goes forward for advance training to become a qualified guide dog. As for Madge she will be having another puppy to start training again.
Schools sign-up to branch partnership project
Two West Midlands schools are participating in a new scheme set up by the Sandwell and Walsall branch of Guide Dogs to sponsor guide dog puppies and their walkers.
Year 4 at Cooper and Jordan primary school in Aldridge are following the progress of guide dog pup Emily and puppy walker Janet Roberts, while classes 8AN and 8M at The Streetly School in Great Barr are following the progress of guide dog pups Bertie and Spice and their puppy walkers Madge Nightingale and Sandra Croker.
As part of the scheme, both schools classes receive regular talks by puppy walkers, a talk by a guide dog owner and information on how they can assist blind and partially-sighted people in their community.
The classes have very kindly decided to help in fundraising on behalf of Guide Dogs by having a guide dog Treasure Hunt recycle box, the contents of which are converted to cash.
To date class 8AN at The Streetly School have raised £32 by holding a raffle and lucky dip. Class 8M are holding a non-uniform day in December.
If you are a part of a school who you think would like to get involved in the scheme, please contact John McNaughton on 07515 346967 or e-mail jamcnaughton@btinternet.com
Guide Dogs Marathon run for volunteers’ son
Steve Pitt, the son of Mrs Margaret Pitt, a volunteer at the Sandwell and Walsall branch, is now raising money to run for Guide Dogs in the 2009 London Marathon.
Because Guide Dogs do not receive any Government funding and rely totally on fundraising and volunteers, Steve is very keen to help raise as much money as possible.
“These fantastic dogs can do so much for blind and partially-sighted people to help them have a fulfilled life, and I want to raise much needed funds for such a worthy cause” commented Steve.
If you would like to sponsor Steve to run the London Marathon for Guide Dogs, please read more on the ‘just giving’ website at www.justgiving.com/stephenpitt
