FORWARD: Spring/Summer 2020 Guide Dogs presents the Spring/Summer 2020 issue of Forward, the official Guide Dogs magazine. Introduction This document contains every part of the print version of Forward, and in the same order as that used in the print edition. Forward The Guide Dogs magazine Spring/Summer 2020 All round to ours for a brew! Guide Dogs sets world record Welcome to our new-style magazine Guide Dogs memories from the 1960s My Guide partnership - Rik and Louise’s story On the cover are photographs of Sir Steve Redgrave, Rula Lenska, Martin Clunes, David Bradley, Alex Jones, Fiona Bruce, Pam St Clement, Sir Andy Murray, Stephanie Beacham, Hugh Bonneville, Lesley Nicol and Lorraine Kelly. Contents Regulars - Welcome from the CEO Regulars - News All the best stories from across Guide Dogs Features - Guide Dogs gets a new style Regulars - On the campaign trail Regulars - Guide Dogs in the media Read all about us! Regulars - Star news Which celebrities have been supporting Guide Dogs? Features - The future of volunteering for Guide Dogs Features - The benefits of free running Features - Tips from our Dog Care and Welfare team Features - Rik and Louise’s story This My Guide partnership has given Rik his own space Features - Fundraising memories from the 1960s Features - Meet the couple who share their greatest gift Features - Young supporters take the initiative Regulars - A Day In The Life Of… Joel Young, Access and Information Empowerment Officer Regulars - Thank you to our supporters Features - Mia’s story The teenager’s shyness has disappeared thanks to Guide Dogs Regulars - Letters & Caption Competition Labrador/retriever cross Dora has made a new friend Regulars - In good company Promotions Contact details - arising from the articles in this edition of Forward Included here are six photographs. The first is of Rik Jones, a musician and My Guide service user. The second is of Blue Peter presenter Valerie Singleton with a guide dog puppy. The third is of members of the Bury St Edmunds fundraising group with a display cheque for £1,000,000. The fourth is of Rylan Clark-Neal and contestants on the set of Ready, Steady, Cook. The fifth is of Access and Information Empowerment Officer, Joel Young, outside 10 Downing Street. The sixth is of Jess Impiazzi with her dog and a cup of tea at the Virtual Tea Party. Hear all about it! If you use any of Guide Dogs’ services or you’re a volunteer, and if we have an email address for you, you’ll be used to receiving regular e-bulletins from your local team with all their latest information and news. But if you don’t use email, did you know that there’s a phone line you can call to hear your team’s e-bulletin as a recorded message? Your phone provider’s standard geographical rate will apply. Belfast: 0118 337 3801 Birmingham: 0118 337 3802 Cardiff: 0118 337 3803 (English) or 0118 337 3821 (Welsh) Central Midlands: 0118 337 3804 Edinburgh: 0118 337 3805 Exeter: 0118 337 3806 Glasgow: 0118 337 3807 Hull: 0118 337 3808 Leeds: 0118 337 3809 Liverpool: 0118 337 3810 London: 0118 337 3811 Maidstone: 0118 337 3812 Manchester: 0118 337 3813 Newcastle: 0118 337 3814 Nottingham: 0118 337 3815 Peterborough: 0118 337 3816 Reading: 0118 337 3817 Shrewsbury: 0118 337 3818 Southampton: 0118 337 3819 Welwyn Garden City: 0118 337 3820 E-bulletins are due out on the following dates this year, with phone lines updated that day: 28 July, 22 September and 24 November. Contributions: Send editorial items to Forward by post at the Head Office address below, or by email to forward@guidedogs.org.uk. Unfortunately, due to the volume of ideas we receive, we cannot acknowledge every item. We reserve the right to edit or refuse. Forward is available in standard print, Braille, large print and audio CD formats. It is also available as an accessible PDF and as plain text and audio files on our website at www.guidedogs.org.uk/forward. You are receiving this copy of Forward magazine as one of our valued supporters. If you no longer wish to receive it, please contact us by phone on 0800 953 0113 or by email on guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk. Founding Editor: The late Captain Nikolai Liakhoff MBE FRZS Registered Head Office: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG Tel: 0118 983 5555 Fax: 0118 983 5433 Web: www.guidedogs.org.uk Email: guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk © 2010 Registered charity in England and Wales (209617) and in Scotland (SC038979). Any products or services advertised in Forward by third parties are not in any way endorsed by Guide Dogs, and Guide Dogs shall not be responsible for the accuracy of any information contained in such advertisements nor has it investigated or verified any of the information. A welcome from Tom I want to start my welcome greeting by saying how incredibly proud I am of our staff and volunteers for rising to the challenge that Covid-19 has presented to our charity. The global coronavirus pandemic has prompted us to do things we never thought possible, or that we had never considered before - at a much quicker pace than usual. I am extremely grateful to everyone in the #GuideDogsFamily for pulling together and demonstrating such brilliant innovation. I would also like to extend my condolences to those of you reading this who have lost family members and friends during this unprecedented time. I am aware of Guide Dogs supporters, service users and volunteers who are no longer with us; their loss will be felt, and we are incredibly thankful that they have been a part of our charity. Of course, ours is a family that is hugely affected by Government guidance to stop the spread of Covid-19. People with sight loss are obviously more reliant on touch and physical contact than the sighted public, and so measures such as social distancing have meant that we’ve had to re-think how we deliver our services and keep operating. In just weeks, we launched our Covid-19 Sight Loss Information Line, offering advice and support to people with vision impairments or their families. We also switched our My Guide sighted guiding service to a telephone service to keep everyone safe. Our Campaigns and Public Affairs Team noticed that people with sight loss couldn’t get priority online grocery delivery slots, as they were not included in the Government’s list of vulnerable shoppers. The team quickly swung into action, petitioning the Government to change this. And at a time when it’s incredibly important to stay informed in an ever-changing situation, our Digital Team has kept our website up-to-date with the latest about how coronavirus is affecting Guide Dogs. I urge you to keep visiting www.guidedogs.org.uk/covid19 for the latest. It’s hard to remember a time before coronavirus dominated our lives. Back in December, I attended the funeral of Major General John Groom. I’m sure some of our longstanding volunteers will remember that Maj Gen Groom was Director General of Guide Dogs between 1983 to 1989, and we have his obituary later in this issue. In the last edition of Forward I mentioned that Dolly, the black Labrador puppy walked by my family and I, had joined our breeding stock as a future guide dog mum. She came into season just as lockdown started, so we couldn’t let her have a litter this time around. But I know that, like many other things right now, this is just a postponement. There will be plenty more chances for her to have a litter of life-changing guide dog puppies. Speaking of the future – next year will be the 90th anniversary of the UK’s first guide dog partnerships. There are exciting plans developing and we’ll be celebrating accordingly. With best wishes, Tom Wright CBE Chief Executive Guide Dogs @TomwrightUK on Twitter Included here is a photograph of Tom Wright CBE, Chief Executive of Guide Dogs, wearing a jacket and tie and smiling at the camera. News Moving autumn/winter Forward online As we continue to adapt and deliver much-needed services for people with sight loss, especially those disproportionately affected by coronavirus, we need your understanding and support more than ever. We’ve been looking at how to get the best value for our supporters’ amazing generosity as we face the challenges and financial implications presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. We are therefore proposing to send the autumn/winter 2020 edition of Forward out only in its accessible alternative formats - large print, Braille and audio CD. If you usually receive the standard print version and we have your email address, we’ll simply email you a link to Forward on our website (www.guidedogs.org.uk/forward) instead of posting you a copy. For the many who receive Forward by email already, there will be no change. If we don’t have your email address, or you’re not sure, please contact our Supporter Care team on 0800 953 0113. Tell us what you think We value your views on our plans for this magazine, so please let us know by emailing forward@guidedogs.org.uk. Volunteer Voices groups will also be consulted. Local Volunteer Awards 2020 – who will you nominate? Our Local Volunteer Awards recognise the outstanding work carried out by our amazing volunteers. This year, the award categories are based on our new Guide Dogs Behaviours. Our behaviours capture the essence of what it is to be Guide Dogs PEOPLE, whether you’re a staff member or a volunteer. The behaviours are both new, yet they’re rooted in our heritage. They’re designed to reflect how we are, but also how we aspire to be. The awards categories are: Person-centred, Expert, Optimistic, Partner, Lead-by-Example and Engage. You might have noticed that the first letter of each category spells out the word “PEOPLE”! You can find a full explanation of these categories, plus examples to help you, on our website - go to www.guidedogs.org.uk and search for “Local Volunteer Awards”. You can also make nominations via the website, and the closing date is midday on Thursday 30 July 2020. Included here is a photograph of a Guide Dogs volunteer wearing a polo shirt with the new Guide Dogs logo. Couple dedicate 40 years to volunteering for Guide Dogs A couple from Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire have been presented with a long service award for volunteering for Guide Dogs for 40 years. Lynne and Edward Buckley, who are both guide dog owners, were given their award in January. Lynne started volunteering for Guide Dogs in 1979 after becoming a guide dog owner. She said: “It was a big trauma when I lost my sight, particularly as I was only 19. When I was partnered with my first guide dog, Bunty, she gave me my independence back and I wasn’t relying on anyone else to take me out. I started volunteering for Guide Dogs as a fundraiser because I knew first-hand what a worthwhile organisation it is.” Lynne and Edward are part of the Scunthorpe group, which has raised nearly £300,000 for Guide Dogs to date. Edward got his first guide dog Rolo in 2017, and Lynne is currently with her fifth guide dog, Ice. Edward said: “You could write a book about our time fundraising. We’ve seen people as kids donating who are now married with their own children. It’s not so much volunteering for us, it’s a way of life.” Included here is a photograph of Lynne and Edward Buckley at a Guide Dogs collection with their German shepherd guide dogs Rolo and Ice. Meet our first litter of 2020 Our first future life-changers to be born in 2020 were a litter of nine adorable white labradoodles. The pups arrived at 3:08pm on 2 January to guide dog mum Emma and dad Ulster at a volunteer’s home in Warwickshire. Here are the stories of four of the litter, all named by our incredible supporters: River: Staff at Morrisons’ Newlands branch in Glasgow chose River’s name after holding events including a static cycle challenge and a sponsored dog walk. The store is one of a group across the west of Scotland raising more than £80,000 for us. Pancho: Daniel Roberts from Somerset qualified with his first guide dog, Luna, last year. Daniel, a cabaret singer, fundraised at his venues while sharing his sight loss story. Pancho is named in memory of Daniel’s late father-in-law. Rowley: Taverham High School near Norwich chose us as their charity of the year and fundraised to name two puppies, including Rowley. Jasper: Named by Kevin House from Gloucestershire, who cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats! Kevin chose the name Jasper in memory of his pet Westie. Included here are photographs of guide dog puppies River, Pancho, Rowley and Jasper. One million pounds helps to change lives Guide Dogs fundraising group Bury St Edmunds, in Suffolk, has reached an amazing fundraising milestone - one million pounds. The group began after volunteer Mike Clarke contacted his local Guide Dogs Fundraising Officer for the area, Tony Castleton. Mike wanted to set up a trust fund in memory of his late wife Sue, who had sight loss but was unable to have a guide dog. Spotting that there was a good chance to set up a fundraising group in the area, Tony persuaded Mike to become chairman and the first committee meeting was held at a branch of Barclay’s Bank on 5 March 1981. Mike is now President, having relinquished the role of chairman after 38 years to his wife, Hazel. Since 1981 there have been more than 90 committee members, all playing an important part in helping to raise funds. Included here is a photograph of members of the Bury St Edmunds fundraising group with a display cheque for £1,000,000. Remembering Major General John Groom Former Director General of Guide Dogs, Major General John Groom, died in November 2019 at the age of 90. Born in Hagley, Worcestershire, on 9 March 1929, Maj Gen Groom went to King Charles I Grammar School in Kidderminster and then Rugby College of Engineering. He was a keen Scout in his youth and became a King’s Scout. Maj Gen Groom had a long and distinguished career with the British Army. He had postings in Egypt, Singapore, Malaya and Cyprus in addition to fulfilling various important roles in the UK. He was appointed MBE in 1963, then advanced to CBE in 1975 and made CB in 1984. He joined Guide Dogs in 1983 after his retirement, where he remained Director General until 1989. Paying tribute, Graham Kensett, who started working for Guide Dogs in 1984, said: “I remember Major General John Groom very well. He was very much people-focused, and insisted on visiting all of Guide Dogs’ sites on a regular basis. He had a remarkable memory and seemed to be able to recall most team members’ names after their introduction. I was sad to hear that he has passed away.” Introducing our new style If you’re reading the standard print or online PDF versions of this edition of Forward right now, you might notice that it seems a bit different. Likewise if you get the CD version or you’re listening to the audio files on our website, things might sound a little different. That’s because we are very excited to reveal a new style and sound for this issue of Forward magazine. It has been designed in line with a refreshed Guide Dogs brand identity, which we’ll be adopting from now on. Our brand communicates who we are, what we do and how critical our work is. We want to offer more services to the people who need us. To do this, we will need to inspire even more people to support our charity as volunteers and donors, and ensure that anyone affected by sight loss knows that we can help them, whatever their needs and whatever stage they are at in their sight loss journey. From research we discovered that while lots of people know us for our iconic guide dog service, very few people know about the other things we offer, such as My Guide sighted guiding or services for children and young people. Our refreshed brand identity better reflects the breadth of services we provide, it is more accessible, and better-suited to our website and social media channels, where more people now find us. We have a new logo, which has at its heart an icon of a person surrounded by three other heads, to represent the Guide Dogs family. When seen together, it can be seen as a paw print, which is why we call it our “people paw”. Wherever we can, this visual logo will also be accompanied by our unique new audio logo, which is accessible to people with sight loss. We want you to know that we are making every effort to avoid waste, so you may find both this new brand and our old brand existing side by side for a while, as we gradually replace items in a phased way. Included here is a photograph of a Guide Dogs volunteer wearing a polo shirt with the new Guide Dogs logo, as well as several Guide Dogs leaflets and guides featuring the refreshed brand identity. Campaigning On the campaign trail Thank you to everyone who’s supported our campaigns by taking action online, supporting an event or spreading the word. Here are just some of our Campaigns and Public Affairs Team’s recent activities… Sight Loss Information Line Guide Dogs has launched a Sight Loss Information Line offering practical support to people with sight loss and their families. Whether asking for yourself, a family member, or your child, the line will connect you to someone from Guide Dogs who understands the unique challenges of living with a vision impairment during the coronavirus outbreak. We can give advice and support to keep you active and independent, refer you to our other services, or help you access services from other providers. Call 0800 781 1444 from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Working with supermarkets and Defra during Covid-19 We’ve adjusted our campaigning during these unprecedented times. We identified that new precautions to keep the public safe whilst grocery shopping were having a negative impact on people with sight loss. Many struggled to get online delivery slots, and were finding it difficult to adhere to social distancing in shops. We’ve been working with the Government to ensure that people with vision impairments get priority access online delivery slots if needed. Along with sight loss sector partners, we delivered a 22,653-signature petition to the Minister for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, held meetings to share experiences, and worked to ensure everyone struggling to access food has support. We’ve also given new Royal Voluntary Service volunteers guidance on safe and appropriate support to people with sight loss. Government launches new consultation on pavement parking law The Westminster Government has announced a consultation on introducing a national law to end problem pavement parking in England, following years of lobbying from Guide Dogs. At our event in Parliament in early March, Lord Low of Dalston introduced his private member’s bill to tackle the issue. Guide dog owners and campaigners, Emma and Simon, spoke to MPs and Lords about their experiences of dangerous and inconsiderate pavement parking. Emma said: “We felt great respect, energy and enthusiasm from the audience and we believe we made a true difference to people’s mindset on the impact of pavement parking.” The Campaigns team is delighted that the Government have accepted that the current law on pavement parking isn’t satisfactory. We’ll continue pushing for a commitment to implementing a new one. Included here is a photograph of Lord Low of Dalston speaking in front of a microphone. Media highlights Guide Dogs in the media A 16-year-old guide dog owner from Ebbw Vale in South Wales has made her TV debut alongside a cartoon dinosaur. Milly Elliott featured in two episodes of My Petsaurus, a series about first pets on the CBeebies channel. The show, a mix of live action and animation, follows the everyday tasks encountered when caring for a pet. Milly played vision-impaired teenager Bethan, and real-life footage of her guide dog Libby was changed in post-production into animation, allowing the golden retriever to become a bright red cartoon dinosaur. The two-minute shows helped introduce the concept of a guide dog to young children, and illustrate the difference between a pet and a working animal. Included here is a photograph of Milly Elliott and her guide dog Libby, portrayed as on the show My Petsaurus as a red cartoon dinosaur. Guide dog owner Alex Pepper, who stars in our “By My Side” advert, appeared in BBC Two’s Ready Steady Cook. Alex was paired with professional chef Mike Reid and competed against his cousin, Joe Pepper, who cooked with chef Romy Gill. Alex said: “Taking part was an amazing experience! The presenter, Rylan Clark-Neal, and the team were so welcoming and seemed genuinely interested in how I navigate the kitchen. “It was a great opportunity to demonstrate how blind and partially sighted people can cook just like anyone else, and the producers spent a lot of time asking me what tools, tips and tricks I use.” Included here is a photograph of Alex and Joe Pepper on Ready Steady Cook with Mike Reid, Romy Gill and Rylan Clark-Neal. A series of guide dog owners appeared in the media talking about how they coped during the Covid-19 lockdown. The i newspaper’s website covered Elaine Maries’ struggle to buy food from supermarkets. Elaine had someone trying to steal items from her basket, was refused access because she couldn’t do social distancing, and someone deliberately kicked her guide dog, Inca. Lucy Edwards, a YouTuber and the first blind host of a BBC Radio 1 show, wrote for digital magazine Marie Claire about dealing with lockdown when you have sight loss and anxiety, especially as her guide dog Olga doesn’t understand social distancing. Included here is a photograph of Lucy Edwards and her black Labrador guide dog Olga. BBC News online ran a piece about how pets were coping, which featured Roy Richards and his guide dog Jones. Roy explained how hard he had to work to keep Jones entertained at home, instead of the regular pub visits they used to enjoy. Which famous faces have been supporting Guide Dogs? Time for record-breaking tea with a host of celebrities Guide Dogs’ Guinness world record attempt for the biggest ever Virtual Tea Party was a celebrity-filled, Twitter-trending, mass participation success! On 21 April, we celebrated National Tea Day by asking our supporters to post photos of themselves at home with a cuppa on our Facebook page. Among the celebrities who shared their selfies were Dame Julie Walters, Hugh Bonneville, Alan Titchmarsh, Sir Andy Murray, Ellie Simmonds, Alex Jones, Pam Ayres, Pam St Clement, Eddie Izzard, David Bradley, Lesley Nicol, Steve Pemberton, Sir Steve Redgrave, Deborah Meaden, Jess Impiazzi, Pete Wicks, Lorraine Kelly, Andrew Marr, Martin Clunes, Stephanie Beacham, Jim Carter, Imelda Staunton, Bill Turnbull, Jason Watkins, Tom Kerridge, Rula Lenska, Nicki Chapman, Nick Knowles, Fiona Bruce, Sophie Thompson, Wendi Peters and Gregg Wallace. Martin Clunes promoted our attempt during an interview at his home by ITV’s Good Morning Britain, which got the nation and the media talking about us even more after viewers noticed that he was still wearing his pyjamas! The hashtag #GuideDogsFamily was trending at number one on Twitter shortly after the party. Fantastically, we set the record for the Largest Virtual Tea Party with 4,021 unique photos and raised £44,107.45, with the total still growing as Forward went to press. Included here are photographs of Jason Watkins, Steve Pemberton, Jess Impiazzi, Nick Knowles, Alan Titchmarsh, Ellie Simmonds, Dame Julie Walters, Nicki Chapman, Deborah Meaden, Pete Wicks, Andrew Marr, Tom Kerridge, and Sophie Thompson. Advantage Laura at the NBC British tennis star Laura Robson visited the National Breeding Centre in February for a guided tour of the world-class facility before being given special access to the puppy block, where she met a litter of adorable golden retriever puppies. Laura said: “I had a fantastic time meeting staff and volunteers at the National Breeding Centre and learning more about the charity’s amazing work. The highlight of my visit was meeting the puppies who will hopefully go on to become life-changing guides for people with sight loss.” Included here is a photograph of Laura Robson holding two golden retriever puppies. Volunteering Volunteering in a new frontier The world has undoubtedly changed in a short space of time. As we reflect on how volunteering adapted during lockdown, we look at how this might influence the future of volunteering at Guide Dogs. Since the coronavirus pandemic, like many UK charities, it was necessary for us to follow Government advice and adapt every part of our organisation, including our volunteering arm, in response to the outbreak. Our priority continues to be protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of our volunteers, staff, service users and dogs. But during this unprecedented time — how is volunteering changing? The rise of the “community” volunteer Across the country, we’ve witnessed the rise of community volunteer groups, a movement across neighbourhoods to provide help to keep vulnerable neighbours safe. Through delivering groceries, collecting prescriptions and walking dogs, this support has been a life-saver for many older people and those with underlying health conditions. Recruiting and promoting their services through leaflets and on social media, community volunteers have single-handedly increased the profile and importance of volunteering today. Virtual is the new reality A few months ago, we began exploring how other charities were conducting virtual checks with prospective volunteers. An area we are keen to explore is virtual home checks, which are currently being used for rehoming by Dogs Trust, the RSPCA and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. It’s an approach that could work for Guide Dogs. For our 17,000 volunteers, we’ve already begun testing some learning and development sessions via Zoom, with the option to join in by phone as well so no one is excluded. This approach is helping volunteers to maintain their knowledge and confidence in their roles. We’re gathering feedback from this process to continually adapt and improve, and will update our volunteers on Zoom and other developments through our new monthly e-newsletter “The Guide”. Another development underway is the improvement of our Volunteer Voices groups, which share learning and experiences, and feedback on different issues at a national level. We’re already working together on how to improve the experience for members, whilst integrating some virtual elements within the feedback process as well as creating more opportunities for others to connect and contribute online. Throughout this uncertainty, it’s been more important than ever for us to show our appreciation of our amazing volunteers who have gone above and beyond. During Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), we shared stories of dedication, along with many “thank you” messages across our social media pages, including specially organised Zoom calls, forums and live streaming events. Many of these heart-warming and inspiring stories have made their way through the nominations process for the upcoming Local Volunteer Awards this summer, which will move from its usual face-to-face format to virtual events. How to stay up-to-date! It’s never been more important to stay on top of the latest developments at Guide Dogs, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. To ensure our volunteers stay informed, we are constantly updating our website with relevant news and information on how we’re responding to the changes brought on by coronavirus. For up-to-date information, including advice and guidance specifically for volunteers, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/covid19. We’re stronger together What the pandemic has shown us is that when we come together we can do great things. Inclusion and diversity have been at the foundation of the volunteering movement in the last few months — people from all walks of life and even businesses have been playing a role in supporting the government and the NHS to tackle the virus. It’s something that we’re keen to replicate. We truly want to attract more people to support Guide Dogs in different ways. So far, we’ve been looking into how we can better engage younger people, families and companies to support our goal of helping people with sight loss to live the life they choose. While we can’t accurately predict the future of volunteering, what we do know is that technology will play a bigger role. We envisage a more integrated approach, where digital opportunities are mixed with real life interactions and events. This flexible approach could complement and enhance face-to-face contact. For us, the pandemic has been an opportunity for Guide Dogs to think more flexibly about volunteering, how we support volunteers and reach more potential supporters — but above all, it has shown that volunteering as a community has been a constant throughout these changes and will continue to be as we shape our future. Included here is a photograph of Guide Dogs staff members, volunteers, service users and guide dogs. Dog training Free running The benefits for our dogs, guide dog owners and volunteers Guide Dogs recommends that all dogs enjoy time off the lead to explore the world around them. For our four-legged companions, free running provides a great opportunity to learn important skills such as recall and to practise how to behave in different places. It also helps our dogs to get valuable exercise, learn how to socialise with other dogs and discover new sights, sounds and smells through pootling and sniffing. But free running doesn’t just benefit our dogs, it helps our volunteers and guide dog owners too. At Guide Dogs, we have volunteer dog exercisers who take guide dogs out for a free run while their owner stays at home, and My Guide volunteers who can help both a guide dog owner, and a guide dog, get additional exercise. Joanne Brown, from Solihull in the West Midlands, is a volunteer dog exerciser. She has been free running guide dogs for a local guide dog owner for seven years. Jo said: “The first guide dog I took free running was the lovely Oyster, who was a black German shepherd cross golden retriever. She was a very gentle dog and loved to have a good run around the fields. “Now I take out Spencer, who is a big yellow labrador. He loves going to the park and when he is really excited, he spins 360 degrees on the spot! “It’s really rewarding free running a guide dog. Not only are you helping the owner and building a relationship with them, but the excitement and joy the dog gets whilst it’s out is lovely - plus I am getting fresh air and a walk too!” Guide dog owner Penny Hefferan, from Warwick, is supported by a My Guide volunteer who’s also trained by Guide Dogs in dog exercising. Penny said: “Having a My Guide volunteer who can help me to get out of the house and free run my guide dog Questa, means I can join in the fun too. “It’s lovely knowing that Questa will be able to have a fabulous run in an open space which I wouldn’t usually be able to take her to on my own. It gives her the chance to be a dog, have fun and not worry about looking after me. We all come back feeling better for it and muddier too!” Included here is a photograph of Penny Hefferan and her guide dog, Questa. Top tips for free running 1. Equipment: Make sure you are prepared when free running your dog with waste bags, treats to help with recall, a whistle and a favourite toy. Taking hand sanitiser is also recommended. 2. Place and time: Pick an area where it is safe to have a dog off a lead, avoiding areas where there is likely to be rubbish or access to roads. Pathways and woodlands are good for encouraging sniffing and pootling, while open fields allow for running and playing games. Avoid busy times of the day where possible. 3. Dog walking etiquette: If other, oncoming dogs are on a lead, always recall your dog to prevent them dashing over. The other dog may be nervous, recovering from an injury, or elderly, so asking the owner first if your dogs can meet is the safest option. 4. Number of dogs and people: Guide Dogs’ guidance states that when free running, there should be a maximum of two of our dogs out at a time, and each dog must be supervised and managed by its own individual handler. This recommendation relates to guide dog puppies, trainee guide dogs and working guide dogs. Pets and other people’s dogs are not included in this, but where more dogs are off-lead together, we need to be mindful of human and dog safety. 5. Stay safe: Free running does not come without risks, and both people and dogs can get injured if dogs are playing or interacting inappropriately. If your dog struggles to behave around other dogs when off the lead, try calling them back to you for a short play session, before allowing them to return to the other dogs. Creating these short breaks during a free run session can help prevent interactions with other dogs from escalating and reinforce the relationship between dog and handler. For more guidance Please refer to Guide Dogs’ free running handbook. Please note: due to the Covid-19 pandemic, volunteer dog exercisers and My Guide volunteers were advised by Guide Dogs to temporarily stop supporting free running until further notice. These measures were felt necessary to help protect volunteers and guide dog owners. For the latest information about these volunteering roles, please contact your local community team or visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/coronavirus. Tips from our Dog Care and Welfare team Looking after our dogs Dog Care and Welfare at Guide Dogs At Guide Dogs, the health, happiness and welfare of our dogs is a top priority, so we have a dedicated Dog Care and Welfare team. They work closely with our guide dog owners, our wonderful volunteers, and colleagues from puppy walking and training through to rehoming and retirement, all to make sure our dogs get the best care possible. Our Dog Care and Welfare Advisors (DCWAs) are experts in canine health, dealing with common queries ranging from allergic reactions and sickness bugs, to supporting when our dogs require specialist referral procedures. However, the role goes far beyond this, and is as much about people as dogs. DCWA Paul Garty explains: “I started working in dog care at Guide Dogs in 1991 and for the last 14 years I’ve been a Dog Care and Welfare Advisor for the East Scotland team, based at our Forfar Regional Centre. “We are here to support individuals with all aspects of their dog’s health and wellbeing, so it’s a really varied role and no two days are the same. We talk to guide dog owners, brood bitch holders who look after our guide dog mums, as well as to puppy walkers and our boarding volunteers, who adapt quickly to a new dog. What unites them all is the desire to do the absolute best. “We are also in constant contact with multiple vet practices across our regions, referral specialists and diagnostic centres, maintaining good communication and ensuring that our dogs get gold standard care at a fair cost to the charity. “A vital part of my job is making sure that all the health information for a dog is recorded and stored accurately, both for the dog’s health and for our breeding colleagues, who use this information when planning future litters. “We also track the health of pups at walk to make sure they are fit and healthy for entry to training and that any health queries have been investigated and recorded. “The role demands good people skills as well as an affinity with the dogs themselves. Sometimes it’s a diplomatic but vital conversation about a dog’s weight management plan, sometimes it’s a sudden serious health issue. Sometimes, sadly, we’re dealing with an end-of-life plan for an older or unwell dog. We always keep the dog’s wellbeing at the centre of our decisions, and give everyone the time and dignity they need. I’m a dog owner myself and it’s a heart-wrenching time, but we are there to support the owner and the dog with sensitivity and respect. “Thankfully, our time is usually spent on happier outcomes, and it’s all done with the support of colleagues inside and outside Guide Dogs. It’s a real team effort to get the best outcome.” Included here is a photograph of Paul Garty, wearing an earpiece, with his pet chocolate Labrador. “We also deal with seasonal advice. It’s summertime, so we need to keep thinking of our four-legged companions. All dogs can be affected by hot weather.” Here are some tips to follow for hot, sunny days: * Always ensure a supply of fresh drinking water is available, * Puppies and dogs must NEVER be left in parked vehicles or parts of buildings which can become hot quickly such as conservatories or summer rooms, * Exercise your dog at the very beginning or very end of the day, * Avoid letting dogs sunbathe in the garden, restrict them to shady areas or a cool part of the house. In very hot weather, do not free run or overly exercise dogs, * Avoid working dogs during the hottest parts of the day, * Restrict energetic exercise and games. Your local Dog Care & Welfare Advisor can provide you with further advice and support. Finding out more There’s lots of information about how to care for your dog on our website, including expert advice on how to adapt during the current coronavirus crisis. Visit www.guidedogs.org.uk and search for “Dog care and welfare”. If you have been affected by losing your dog, you may like to listen to our “Bereavement and Loss” podcast in the podcasts section of our website. If you’re struggling with the loss of your dog, we also work closely with Blue Cross’s bereavement helpline. You can call and chat to a trained counsellor for support on 0800 096 6606 or by email via an online form at www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss. Stories Rik and Louise’s story “Family is everything,” says Rik Jones, 29, a talented musician from Wigan, “but you need a space of your own in the world too.” Rik is very close to his family, they see each other every day. He lives with his mum and dad, his grandad lives in the next road and his auntie and cousins live down the street. This support network was crucial for his parents, and Rik, when he was growing up. Rik was born prematurely at just 26 weeks, and his early arrival shook the family’s world. Fred, Rik’s grandad, explains: “It was a massive shock and a scary time that we’ll never forget. My daughter, Jayne, and Rik’s dad, Chris, drove down the motorway every day for eight months while he was in hospital in Manchester. We didn’t think he would survive, but he fought like mad.” Rik was born with retinopathy of prematurity, a sight condition prevalent in babies born before 32 weeks. “Some of the other babies I was on the ward with didn’t make it. I’m really lucky to be here,” says Rik. Rik describes his vision as like looking through a misty window. But, in the last year, his sight has started to deteriorate due to cataracts. “I worry about losing my remaining sight, but I don’t dwell on it. I like to live in the moment and my music is my focus.” Rik’s taste in music was influenced from an early age by his dad, a huge Paul Weller fan. His beloved grandma bought him his first guitar when he was just three years old. “Growing up, there was always music in the house. Every toy they bought me made a noise,” says Rik. While Rik is a busy, gigging musician at weekends, he also spends a lot of time at home in his studio. “I love making music, editing and writing new songs. But I also want new experiences, and I don’t want to rely on my family to get out.” Rik heard about the My Guide sighted guide service from Guide Dogs from an advert on Facebook. “I mentioned it to my mum and we thought “let’s go for it!” I was told that a volunteer guide called Louise had been found who could meet with me one evening a week. I didn’t know what to expect.” From the first day Rik and Louise met they hit it off. They share a similar sense of humour and Rik bounces off Louise’s confidence during their weekly meetings. They visit different places each time, such as coffee shops, parks and shopping centres. The two are even hoping to take part in a 5km colour run together in Manchester in September. “I’ve volunteered with Guide Dogs for a number of years with the puppies, but I wanted to help a person too,” says Louise Johnston, 45. “I really enjoy spending time with Rik each week and it’s wonderful to see his confidence grow as we visit new places. I helped him buy and wrap presents for his family at Christmas, which is something he’s never done before.” Fred says: “As a family we can’t speak highly enough of Louise. We’ve seen so much change in Rik since they’ve been matched. It’s brought so much joy to him and his mum and dad, it’s brought a lot of trust and confidence back in his life. It’s lovely to see.” Rik said: “I think the world of Louise. I’m doing things now that I’ve never done before – I just wouldn’t have thought to do it. She’s opening up a new world to me and it feels like an adventure. I’m excited for what’s next.” Included here are three photographs. The first is of My Guide Louise guiding Rik along a street. The second is of Rik standing outside. The third is of Rik playing a guitar in a music shop. Fundraising memories from the 1960s People have their own unique reasons why they choose to leave legacies to Guide Dogs, but for many it stems from fond memories. One wonderful supporter, Annie, shares her heart-warming story of fundraising for Guide Dogs in the 1960s with the Blue Peter tin foil and silver paper appeal. Annie, from Somerset, said: “It was a lovely lady who lived on our street called Pam West and her guide dog, Pippin, who were the inspiration behind my love of supporting Guide Dogs. As a 10-year-old, my friends and I started collecting milk bottle tops, which we’d take to Pam, and when we were older, we’d collect jumble from neighbours and hold a sale. We’d also dress up my younger brother and push him round in a wheelbarrow, knocking on doors asking for a “penny for the guy” for Guide Dogs. We had such fun raising money!” Pam had a song written about her by an entertainer called Allan Smethurst, “the Singing Postman.” Allan and Pam were childhood sweethearts, but Allan’s family moved away. It was only when he returned years later that he discovered Pam was losing her sight and had a guide dog. Allan called his song about Pam “She Lived In A House Called I Dunno”, and one line refers to her guide dog – “with a dog to help her and to guide”. The song’s title is true: Pam’s house really was called “I Dunno”, and her neighbour’s was “Nor Do I”! So enthusiastic were Blue Peter viewers like Annie that it only took them a few weeks to smash the target of three tonnes of silver paper and foil. They raised enough to train two puppies, Honey and Cindy. Presenters Valerie Singleton and Christopher Trace became Honey’s puppy walkers and she appeared regularly on the programme, going on to become a successful guide dog. For a generation of viewers, it was a fantastic introduction to Guide Dogs and for many, the start of a lifetime of support. Included here are four photographs. The first is of Annie and two friends raising money for Guide Dogs. The second is of Allan singing to Pam. The third is of Annie and a friend with Pam and her guide dog. The fourth is of Blue Peter presenter Valerie Singleton with guide dog puppy, Honey. Find out more To find out how you can remember your own special connection to Guide Dogs by leaving a gift in your Will, please visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/giftsinwills. From tiny puppy to extraordinary partnership! Husband and wife Pat and Dennis, from Edinburgh, and their guide dog Beryl, are one of only two dual partnerships in the UK. Beryl was named through our Name a Puppy scheme by Apache North Sea in Aberdeen. Beryl has been trained to walk with Pat and Dennis, both individually and together. This is only possible in very special circumstances. Dennis explains: “Both Pat and myself have had our own guide dogs before but I had a 30-year break. It was only when I lost 40% of my hearing that I decided to get in touch with Guide Dogs again. We weren’t keen on having two dogs partly for convenience, and finding someone to look after both dogs when we’re on holiday, but also because we’re often together. “In the past when we were out together, we would often lose each other. Sometimes, we would only be several feet away from one another and it could be very frustrating. Having Beryl by our side ensures this never happens now. “We qualified with Beryl just before Christmas and it’s amazing the difference she has made already. Pat and I have been together for 18 years. Now we share our greatest gift – the wonderful Beryl!” Included here is a photograph of Pat and Dennis with yellow Labrador guide dog Beryl. Young supporters take the initiative A group of pupils at St Columba’s RC High School in Dunfermline chose to do their Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) project on Guide Dogs. YPI is a Scottish citizenship programme empowering students to make a difference locally. Groups deliver a presentation about a charity to compete for a £3,000 grant. Despite not winning the award, their teachers were so impressed with the girls’ presentation that they decided to sign up to Guide Dogs’ Name a Puppy scheme for schools, setting a £2,500 target. The girls - Nicole, Devyn, Marisa, Sophie and Lola - raised an incredible £2,000 by holding a bake sale, along with local collections and events. The students’ families also took part in our 5K Use Your Senses event and held a dinner in the dark. What a fantastic achievement for our young supporters! Included here is a photograph of two pupils from St Columba’s RC High School posing with a friend dressed up in a guide dog costume. A day in the life of… Access and Information Empowerment Officer, Joel Young Fourteen years ago, Joel embarked on a placement in the Guide Dogs’ Communications team while studying for his degree. It clearly left a positive impression on him as, since then, he has worked for the charity in various roles, and become a guide dog owner himself. Joel is now one of two people in the new role of Access and Information Empowerment Officer. “I’m very passionate about helping guide dog owners with access issues,” Joel says. And that is exactly what a key part of the role entails – but with the focus on empowering guide dog owners to resolve the issue themselves. Generally, Joel and his colleague Louise receive around 40 to 50 referrals per month. Many are from guide dog owners with access issues – taxis and restaurants are among the most frequent. But they also get queries from guide dog trainers and from businesses. “We then phone the person to understand the issue or query, and provide emotional support if needed,” Joel explains. “Sometimes we get other teams involved. For instance, Safeguarding if an individual is at risk, or the Communications team if there’s a media angle, or the Campaigns team. “Social distancing is a hot topic right now for them – today, for instance, I spoke to a guide dog owner who had been refused access to a supermarket because of the social distancing rules.” Joel then supplies the guide dog owner with the information they need, including an “access toolkit” about access and the law. He says: “The empowerment approach means we give the guide dog owner the information and the confidence to resolve the issue themselves, with our ongoing support. We want to give them the understanding that they are best-placed to deal with the issue because they have lived it. Once guide dog owners understand the benefits to them, they are very positive.” It gives Joel just as much of a buzz when an issue is resolved successfully as it does the guide dog owner. “I feel empowered myself,” he says. “I love to help people and see results.” Included here is a photograph of Joel Young with his German shepherd/golden retriever cross guide dog, Elena, on the steps of 10 Downing Street. Supporters Dear supporters, Thank you so much if you have been raising funds for our wonderful work in 2020 - a uniquely challenging year so far. I do hope that you and your loved ones are all in good health and thank you so much for continuing to support us in these uncertain times. I’ve found hearing about what you’ve been doing to raise funds for us really uplifting. After the last few months we’ve all been through, it’s heart-warming to be reminded that there are people out there who care, even when they’ve been through trying times themselves. Like Lyn and Paul Rawlings, whose son Marcus developed sight loss due to a brain haemorrhage but whose life was changed by his first guide dog, Elliot. Thank you once again and please keep safe. Maria Novell Director of Fundraising Included here is a photograph of Maria Novell. She is wearing a blue and white stripy cardigan and smiling. Last autumn, the Southend on Sea and District fundraising group held its annual flag day in the High Street, Southend. It was a tremendous success and raised more than £1,600. Many volunteers helped along with puppy walkers, guide dog owners and a collection of dogs – young puppies in training, working guide dogs and retired guide dogs too. The event was supported by the local MP, Sir David Amess, who met guide dog pups Layla and Gwen. Included here is a photograph from the flag day of group volunteer Doreen Sim with her grandchildren, retired guide dog Dougie and her husband Nigel in a guide dog costume. Guests packed into St John the Baptist church in Annitsford, North Tyneside, to enjoy a performance by Backworth Male Voice Choir and soloist Phil Dixon. The programme included songs from the male voice repertoire and musicals, as well as a stirring rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. Choir chairman Gerry Killen and Friar Richard Harriott presented a cheque for £870 to Ann Wilson, who was accompanied by retired guide dogs Ellie and Miller. Both dogs are looked after by Ann and her husband Ron. Included here is a photograph of choir chairman Gerry Killen and Friar Richard Harriott presenting the cheque to Ann Wilson and retired Labrador guide dogs Ellie and Miller. During last year’s Guide Dogs Appeal, puppy walkers Sandra Croker and Madge Nightingale organised a grand fundraising evening which included a quiz, a “Play Your Cards Right”-style game and delicious food. Everyone had a wonderful time and together raised an amazing £1,311 for the Sutton Coldfield fundraising group. Thank you to everyone who supported the event. Included here is a photograph of Sandra Croker and Madge Nightingale holding a cheque. Guide dog owner Carl Veal was invited to give a talk at the Church of St Peter’s in Chellaston, Derbyshire, about how his life has changed since having a guide dog. He clearly inspired the audience, as a collection at the end raised £110. He was asked to nominate a charity and chose Guide Dogs. Carl and his guide dog Eaton presented a cheque to Guide Dog Mobility Instructor Alison Ashley. Included here is a photograph of Carl Veal with his black Labrador Eaton presenting a cheque to GDMI Alison Ashley. Coastal Veterinary Group in Norfolk held a quiz night to celebrate their 10th anniversary and raised £500. Guide dog owner and chair of King’s Lynn and District fundraising group Gill Southgate, and committee member Sandra Wilkinson, presented a framed guide dog photo to head veterinary nurse Karen McQuoid and vet Chris Tansley, to thank them for raising the money. Included here is a photograph of Gill Southgate and Sandra Wilkinson presenting a framed guide dog photograph to Karen McQuoid and Chris Tansley. Members of the Dales and District fundraising group were delighted to be told that the tree they decorated for the Tree Festival at All Saints Church in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, had received the most votes from visitors. Pride of place at the top of the tree was a photo of Quasar, a much-loved local guide dog who had passed away recently. Members of the group visited Alexander Optometrists in Northallerton, to thank them for sponsoring the tree. Included here is a photograph of members of the group visiting Alexander Optometrists. Gill Southgate, along with Elaine Skinner, also from the King’s Lynn and District fundraising group, was delighted to receive a cheque for £1,794 from Chris and Peter Howard, who held a Christmas bingo event at Narborough Community Centre. Included here is a photograph of Gill Southgate and Elaine Skinner receiving the cheque from Chris and Peter Howard. Lyn and Paul Rawlings are the Lady Captain and Senior Captain at Thorney Lakes Golf Club, Peterborough, and chose Guide Dogs as the club’s charity for 2019 as their son Marcus is a guide dog owner. Marcus was 30 when he had a brain haemorrhage, leaving him completely blind for six months. He now has some vision but relies on a guide dog for independence. The club’s members helped to raise £4,553. Lyn and Paul said: “We are so pleased that with the generosity of our members, we have been able to give something back to a great charity that has supported Marcus and so many other people.” Included here is a photograph of Marcus Rawlings and his Labrador guide dog Kensyl. The Corsham and Chippenham fundraising group opened a pop-up shop for two months this year in Chippenham’s Emery Gate Shopping Centre. This continues Emery Gate’s partnership with Guide Dogs, now in its third year, and has helped to raise more than £10,000. Dylan Railton, Emery Gate’s Marketing Executive, said: “We are thrilled to be continuing our support of Guide Dogs. It’s an honour to be a part of a historic moment for the charity as they open their first shop in the county – let’s hope many more follow!” Included here is a photograph of a puppy walker and black Labrador guide dog puppy outside the pop-up shop. Pupils at Brier School in Kingswinford, West Midlands, have reached a fundraising milestone – more than £10,000, enough to name five guide dog puppies: Brier, Carol, Val, Bromley and Russ. They started fundraising four years ago after a local guide dog owner gave a talk at the school. Since then they have held an annual sponsored walk and fundraising for their sixth puppy is already underway! Included here is a photograph of sponsored golden retriever/Labrador cross puppy Brier. John Selwyn-Smith, from Llanidloes in mid Wales, took just 18 months to raise £10,000 for Guide Dogs with help from friends and fellow members of his local Rotary Club. Mr Selwyn-Smith, who was the club’s president last year, organised store collections, counter-top boxes, coffee mornings, an auction of promises and a sponsored dog walk. He was inspired after watching guide dog puppies being put through their paces “many moons ago” when he used to live near a former guide dog training school in Exeter. Included here is a photograph of John Selwyn-Smith and dog owner Chris Gwilt-Hoofe with her guide dog, a labradoodle called Candy. Stories Mia’s story Mia, 14, was born with multiple conditions including cortical visual impairment and third nerve palsy and photophobia. Her family simply didn’t know where to turn for help. But after contacting Guide Dogs, Mia is now enjoying life like any other teenager. Here, her mum Bernadette tells their story. “It took us months to get a diagnosis after Mia was born – it was a real battle. As she got older, she became painfully shy and kept falling over when we went out; she was in so much pain after every fall, she just clung to any adult. Mia’s school wasn’t accessible either so she became trapped at home, desperate to go out with her friends. Things got really difficult for our family. “That’s when our hospital liaison suggested I contact Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs helped us put together an education, health and care plan for Mia, and worked with the local authority to make it happen – it was brilliant! They also supported us when Mia moved to an excellent new school, and helped us find the right assistive technology to help her do more of the things she loves. “Mia’s habilitation specialist, Amy, has really boosted her confidence. Amy started by teaching her how to get around safely using a long cane, then they practised regular routes like going to the local shops. She’s also helped Mia develop skills to make life easier, such as learning to cook and handling money. “Soon, Mia started talking about the places she’d love to visit by herself. She even told me “now I have a cane, I have a life”. That shy girl has completely disappeared – now, Mia loves singing and performing on stage! “Mia says Guide Dogs has helped make her who she is today, and I couldn’t agree more. Before, it felt like it was one problem after another but Guide Dogs has helped us find a solution for all of them. I used to go to bed crying but now I’ve got a smile on my face instead.” Included here is a photograph of Mia with her habilitation specialist Amy. Letters In praise of my parents My mum and dad, Colin and Jacqui Thom, were puppy walkers, and I am writing as I would like to express how incredibly proud I am of all they have done for Guide Dogs over the years. They have both found so much joy in puppy walking and great satisfaction watching the puppies go on to be working guides. They also rehomed two retired guide dogs, Walter and Vijay. Sadly, both dogs have now passed away, and I imagine that they will not have any more now, that chapter for them has closed. Although I am sad, I am smiling from ear to ear with pride. I was wondering if my mum and dad could have a mention in Forward magazine. I know this may not be possible as there are so many people like my mum and dad who do such tremendous work for the Guide Dogs charity. Kind regards, Claire Thom Included here is a photograph of Colin and Jacqui Thom. Caption Competition Dora, a 13-month-old Labrador/retriever cross, was on holiday in Derbyshire with first-time puppy walkers John Haslam and Barbara Lynes when she encountered this giant wooden beaver sculpture. Included here is a photograph of Dora sitting next to a giant wooden beaver sculpture. What would you caption this photo? Send your suggestions to: Forward, Guide Dogs, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, RG7 3YG or email forward@guidedogs.org.uk with your name, address and a daytime phone number. The winner gets a £10 Marks and Spencer voucher. The last competition winner is Patricia Baxter, from Preston in Lancashire, with the simple but clever caption “doggy bag”. Congratulations and thank you, Patricia, for donating your prize back to Guide Dogs. Included here is a photograph of Kaiser with the front half of his body inside a large bag of dry dog food. Competition rules This competition is open to anyone resident in the UK, except employees of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, their families and anyone connected with the competition. No purchase necessary. Proof of posting cannot be accepted as proof of delivery. No responsibility can be accepted for entries delayed, damaged or mislaid or wrongly delivered. Illegible entries will be disqualified. Only one original entry is allowed per envelope. The winners will be notified by either post or telephone and the results will be published in the next issue of the magazine. The winners must agree to the publication of their names, photographs and any publicity, if requested. In all matters concerning the competition the Editor’s decision is final. No correspondence can be entered into. Entry implies acceptance of the rules. The closing date for the competition is 31 August 2020 In good company Guide Dogs and players of People’s Postcode Lottery change lives Since 2018, players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised an incredible £2.8m to support Guide Dogs’ life-changing work. As well as having the opportunity to win by playing People’s Postcode Lottery, players are also making an enormous difference to the lives of people with sight loss. Players are helping fund several major projects, including being the first to fund the lifetime of an entire litter of life-changing puppies! By following the pups’ amazing progress, players have seen them develop from their birth in November 2018 and throughout their journey living with Guide Dogs volunteers. Then, last November, we celebrated their first birthday, complete with a specially made doggy birthday cake. The puppies, two of which are named Bella and Lottie, have grown and learnt so quickly. After the Covid-19 lockdown, they will start specialised training to become confident guide dogs, before being carefully matched to people with sight loss and trained together to form extraordinary partnerships. We’d like to say a huge heartfelt thank you to all the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Together, we are helping people with sight loss to live the lives they choose. Supported by players of PEOPLE’S POSTCODE LOTTERY Included here is a photograph of the first birthday party for the guide dog puppies funded by People’s Postcode Lottery. Promotions The following are two advertisements that are presented in different places in this issue of Forward. 1. Guide Dogs ebay FOR CHARITY Did You Know You Can Help Guide Dogs on eBay? Make Guide Dogs your favourite charity on eBay and support us whenever you shop or sell! Learn more at charity.ebay.co.uk 2. GIVEACAR Donate Your Car Fast | Free | For Charity 1 Tell us about your car or motorbike. We’ll arrange to collect it for free. 2 Depending on its condition, your vehicle will be auctioned or sold for scrap. 3 We’ll donate the proceeds to your chosen charity and send you a receipt. Free Collection | Any Car | Nationwide Call us on 0207 736 4242 or visit www.giveacar.co.uk to find out more Giveacar is a non-profit social enterprise supporting over 1700 charities. Giveacar Ltd, New Kings House, 136-144 New King’s Rd, Fulham, London SW6 4LZ. Registered as a Company Ltd by Guarantee in England and Wales. No. 7128385 In support of: Guide Dogs Contact details This is a list of phone numbers and contact details arising from the articles in this edition of Forward Magazine. ebay FOR CHARITY Visit: charity.ebay.co.uk Coronavirus information Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/covid19 Chief Executive Twitter: @TomwrightUK Autumn/winter Forward online Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/forward Supporter Care team Call: 0800 953 0113 Tell us what you think Email: forward@guidedogs.org.uk Local Volunteer Awards Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk Sight Loss Information Line Call: 0800 781 1444 Coronavirus information for volunteers Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/covid19 Coronavirus information about volunteering roles Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/coronavirus Dog care and welfare information Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk Blue Cross’s bereavement helpline Call: 0800 096 6606 Visit: www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss Gifts in Wills Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/giftsinwills Caption Competition Post: Forward, Guide Dogs, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG Email: forward@guidedogs.org.uk GIVEACAR Call: 0207 736 4242 Visit: www.giveacar.co.uk Close.