People's Postcode Lottery

Together with the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, we’re helping people with sight loss lead active, independent lives. Since 2018, players have raised an incredible £10.9 million, enabling us to transform lives through vital projects and core services. This funding includes supporting a lifetime litter of guide dog puppies, our amazing children’s companion dog programme - Buddy Dogs, and the redevelopment of our regional centres.

Since 2022, players of People’s Postcode Lottery have been proudly supporting a different stage of our core Guide Dog programme every year, with the ambitious goal of becoming Guide Dog’s first corporate partner to fund every stage of our entire service, from birth through to retirement. So far, their incredible support has helped guide dog pups through their earliest days, the vital puppy-raising stage, and, for the past two years, the all-important formal training phase. This continued commitment is helping more people with sight loss gain the confidence, independence, and freedom to live life on their terms.

Players support our amazing Guide Dog Mobility Specialists

Previously, players of People’s Postcode Lottery helped fund our puppies from birth, through completion of the Puppy Raising stage. By the end of this time, our puppies are socialised and prepared to step into formal guide dog training.

Thanks to their amazing support, players are now funding the next stage of our dogs’ development: formal training to become guide dogs, through our Guide Dogs Academy! 

Through The Academy, we recruit and train Guide Dog Mobility Specialists (GDMS) all over the UK and it’s their job to train our dogs to become guide dogs, over a period of around 10 months. After their guide dog training is complete, our GDMSs match the dogs into their new partnership, to a person with sight loss.

In 2024, players and the Postcode Animal Trust fully funded all 57 GDMSs in the Academy. What’s more, between April 2024 – March 2025, our amazing GDMSs trained 76 human and guide dog partnerships, thanks to players. We can’t wait to introduce you to some of the team whose work players helped support, later in the year! 

Players power the essential puppy raising stage

The fantastic players of People’s Postcode Lottery have already helped our guide dog pups take their very first steps, supporting them from birth until they moved into the loving homes of our volunteer puppy raisers, at around seven weeks old.

Thanks to their continued generosity, players are now helping to fund the next crucial stage of their journey: the Puppy Raising stage, delivered through our Puppyhood Development Programme. From around 7 to 60 weeks of age, each pup begins early socialisation and basic training, laying the foundations for their physical, emotional and behavioural development. During this time, they’re cared for and guided by our dedicated volunteer Puppy Raisers, who help prepare them for the next stage of their transformation into life-changing guide dogs.

In 2023, players and the Postcode Animal Trust funded more than half of the Puppyhood Development Programme, an incredible 316 puppies. These future guide dogs are now well on their way to entering formal training, and eventually, changing the life of someone living with sight loss.

Abbie, who has a vision impairment, takes great pride in her parents, Lesley and Andrew, who have dedicated themselves to raising puppies for Guide Dogs. Players support has funded the provision of 117 litters of pups for the charity.

Following Abbie's diagnosis of Stargardt disease, which affects her central vision, her parents volunteered as Puppy Raisers, providing loving homes for five puppies from eight weeks to 16 months old. 

Currently, they are caring for Callie, a black Labrador, and guiding her through training and socialisation to prepare her for formal guide dog training. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the couple remains committed to their role, understanding its importance in helping visually impaired individuals maintain their independence.

Lesley and Andrew emphasise the rewarding nature of their work, taking the puppies into various environments to develop their social skills. While saying goodbye to the dogs they raise is difficult, they find comfort in knowing that these pups will go on to lead fulfilling lives as guide dogs for those in need. 

We rely on volunteers like Lesley and Andrew to provide essential care during their formative year. With a growing need for guide dogs, the couple is eager to continue their mission, driven by the impact their efforts have on the visually impaired community.

Players support the first stage of our puppies' journey

Players of People's Postcode Lottery have helped to fund the first stage of our puppies' lives - from 0-8 weeks old.

Players support the lifetime of a litter of guide dog puppies

The amazing support from players is funding the lifetime of an entire litter of nine life-changing guide dog puppies. From breeding and expert training, supporting volunteers who care for and foster our puppies, through to life as an extraordinary guide dog. Players' support also ensures our dogs have a great life in retirement after years of providing independence and mobility to people with sight loss.

Each guide dog provides around eight years of support to their owner. By funding these nine puppies, players will enable around 72 years of mobility, helping people to live the lives they choose. Beyond mobility, our guide dogs also provide companionship, help combat loneliness and isolation, and enable people to become an active part of their community. Read how some of the puppies, who are now fully grown dogs are getting on.

Thank you players!

Players' support is crucial now more than ever to meet the growing demand for our guide dogs and other services. We would like to thank all players for helping people with sight loss - enabling them to lead active and independent lives. Recent funding is awarded by Postcode Animal Trust, which People's Postcode Lottery manages lotteries for.

Jo Stevenson, National Community & Partnerships Manager, said: “Players’ support is amazing and together we will be there for people with sight loss giving practical, emotional and life-changing support. We have a unique and fantastic relationship with players who have raised more than 10.9 million for Guide Dogs since 2018.”