Guiding Stars
Donate in memory of your guiding star and help change a life forever.
Remember a loved one this Christmas by dedicating a star in their memory in our Guiding Stars appeal.
We consider our life-changing guide dogs as guiding stars, providing freedom and independence to people with sight loss. This Christmas, in memory of a beloved friend, family member, or pet who may have been a guiding star in your life, we’d like to invite you to dedicate a star to them. These stars can be hung on our Guiding Stars Christmas trees at our regional centres across the UK or dedicated on our online dedication page.
We have been running our Guiding Stars campaign for 16 years and supporting us in memory of a loved one at Christmas has become an annual tradition for many people. When dedicating a star, many people kindly donate in memory, which could go towards training one of our guide dog puppies, like Ivy, who has the potential to change the life of someone with sight loss one day.
How to dedicate a star in memory this Christmas
You can dedicate a star in the following ways:
- Visit our online dedication page to post a photo and leave a dedication to your loved one, along with a much-appreciated donation to Guide Dogs. *Please note this page has a 500-word dedication limit, and you can find suggestions of what to write below.
- Call our friendly Supporter Experience team on freephone 0800 953 0113 to request a physical star on which to write your loved one's name. Then return it to us to hang on one of our regional Christmas trees, alongside a donation, if you'd like.
Meet Ivy - a future 'guiding star'
This year’s Guiding Stars puppy, Ivy, has been named in recognition of all those remembered by Guiding Stars last year. Ivy is a beautiful German shepherd cross golden retriever, and this mix of breeds brings together loyalty, intelligence and a gentle nature - a wonderful combination for a future guide dog.
Ivy is taking her first steps – learning, exploring and growing in confidence. But her journey to become a life-changing guide dog is just beginning, and that’s why we need your help. By making a donation to our Guiding Stars appeal this year, you’ll help more puppies like Ivy grow up and give someone with sight loss freedom and independence.
Suggested dedication ideas
Here are some heartfelt dedication and memorial tribute ideas inspired by messages we’ve seen in previous years:
- “In memory of my dear friend, [Name]. Your kindness and laughter brighten my life every day. You're still guiding me with every smile, even now.”
- “[Pet Name], our faithful friend and brightest guiding star. You brought us joy and comfort. Forever loved and missed.”
- “To my beloved [Relation], whose light still guides me every day. Christmas isn’t the same without you.”
- “To all my guiding stars - family, friends, and furry companions – we love and miss you very much. You'll all be forever in our hearts!”
Your support has the power to change lives
Watch how gifts in memory can help train a guide dog puppy like Ivy, or provide a child with sight loss a large-print book so they can discover the joy of reading just like their friends.