Help create independent futures for young people like Ella

Ella was born short-sighted. Tragically, at the age of 4, she suffered a retinal detachment in both eyes and unfortunately, only one eye was saved. 11 years later, Ella suffered a further retinal detachment, where she was left with no vision at all. 

Despite this devastating news, Ella excelled with her GCSEs and A-Levels, after which she was matched with guide dog Rio. With Rio by her side, Ella is achieving her dream to study mathematics at Oxford University. 

Rio helps Ella to live more independently, get involved in university activities, and to navigate Oxford city safely - they do everything together, and it’s all thanks to the generosity of supporters like you.

By giving a gift to Guide Dogs, you can help more people with sight loss achieve their dreams! 

I’m definitely far more confident and independent now with Rio next to me. Rio has changed by life so much – without her I wouldn’t be studying here at Oxford. She enables me to go out on my own.
Ella - guide dog owner

How you can help

By donating today, you can help young people like Ella gain independence, and achieve life goals. 

  • £8 could help support a partnership for 1 day.
  • £25 could pay for an hour of training for a guide dog, helping to create partnerships like Ella and Rio.
  • £50 could pay for fun, tactile activities to help children  co-ordinate their muscles and movements.
 

Guide Dogs has been helping people with sight loss to live the life they choose for 90 years 

We create amazing guide dog partnerships – from the very start of their training we prepare each puppy for their future role helping someone with sight loss live independently.

Supporting the development of our amazing guide dogs is only possible because of your generous gifts. Help us to create more life-changing partnerships by donating today. 

Help us to support a young person like Ella to achieve their dreams 

* Your donation could be used for a host of things across all of Guide Dogs services. All donations will help provide independence and freedom for people who are blind or partially sighted.