Guide Dogs Week Highlights
- Stuart McMillan MSP is submitting a motion to the Scottish Parliament. It includes asking Parliament to welcome the 80th anniversary of the first qualified guide dog, and to recognise the achievement of 80 years of changing the lives of blind and partially sighted people. It also notes Guide Dogs' awareness raising and campaigning efforts andwishes the organisation every success looking forward.
- Guide dog owner Jim Masterson completed the "Guide Dogs Big Tour d'Eight", his virtual cycle tour round Northern Ireland, covering 320 miles on a static bike in five towns and cities. Each leg of the tour was organised by local branches who raised money through collections and other activities, reaching a total of around £4,600.
- The "Biggest Book Sale" in Jersey has raised an incredible £22,250, with money still coming in. Ken Syvret, chairman of the Jersey branch is understably delighted at the event's tremendous success.
- Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales District Team held their event at the birthplace of Guide Dogs. A special march took place from the plaque at the Cliff, (marking the spot where the first UK guide dogs were trained), to a statue of the first guide dog outside the Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. The event attracted many new supporters and raised over £1,630.
- There was a great final push in the North East on Sunday when Tracy Butcher and North Tyneside branch held a Go Walkies. The beach at Tynemouth Longsands played host to a chain of walking dogs that took on biblical proportions when viewed from the promenade above! The event did a great job spreading the word about our work and it looks as if well over £1,000 was raised.
- Colston School played host to some familiar faces on Friday night at a brilliant 80s night. Monica "Boy George" Cave, Bristol DT Support Worker, put on an amazing evening, with an 80's themed quiz, great food and a raucous raffle and auction! It raised a marvellous £1002.49.
- Members of East Anglia Team cycled 8 miles 10 times in Peterborough, together with guide dog owners Terry Jones and Anne Bale, taking the opportunity to educate the public about the dangers of cycling on shared cycle paths for pedestrians with sight and hearing loss.
- Southern Counties District Team held a very successful "Dinner in the Dark" on Friday. Guests were invited to raise £80 sponsorship for a unique sensory experience and challenges, assisted by Guide Dogs staff. Guide dog owner Marion Hoker provided a very entertaining after dinner speech.
- A fantastic night was had at the Movies and Musicals show on Saturday at St Peter's Church, Reading, starring Jayne O'Mahony from the CEO's office. Over £1,350 was raised, not including money raised by the Reading Branch who came along to support the event.
- Leamington Training School held an open day on Saturday with children's games, face painting and fancy dress in the Lecture Theatre, along with a cake sale. They raised a massive £1,142.14 in four hours and had several hundred visitors through the doors.
- Long serving volunteer Pearl Cook celebrated her 80th birthday during Guide Dogs Week; she spent the day at Atherton where there was a double celebration.
- Guide Dogs Week went to Central London with a gathering of more than 80 guide dog owners, puppy walkers and a London bus at Covent Garden. The event grabbed the attention of many passers by and photographers from the national media came to document the day.
- Tim Lowth arrived at Hillfields before 9am, having walked 13 miles from his home as he Goes for AT with his "Ambitious Trek". He also walked all the way home at the end of the day!
- Information Officer Sue Rowen reports that the Vintage Car Rally in Essex was a great success. Nine blind and partially sighted navigators used a variety of means to steer eight cars successfully to Western Homes Community Stadium, home of Colchester United FC, where 43 people attained level one in Sighted Guiding. What a great day!
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