Guide Dogs For The Blind reflect on successful year

BALLYMENA Guide dogs for the Blind reflected on a successful year at their recent meeting.

Local resident, and rehab worker with Guide Dogs, Steve Andrews said: "We are absolutely delighted with the growth of the branch this year. We would like to acknowledge all the hard work of the volunteers and extend our thanks for the generosity of the local community as over 4,000 has been raised in the area so far this year.

"We receive no government funding and rely totally on voluntary donations so this support is essential to allow us to provide mobility and other services to people with a visual impairment."

At the meeting they agreed the following programme for the remainder of the year. On Saturday, November 27 members will be in the Tower Centre for a fundraising collection and sale of Guide dog related merchandise. While on Wednesday, December 1, Guide Dogs are taking part in the Dogs Trust's Christmas Fair on their Centre at 60 Teesham Road from 6-9 pm. We will have goods for sale including cards and a variety of small items.

Members will be in the Fairhill Centre Fundraising collection and sale of Christmas cards and Guide Dog related merchandise on Saturday, December 11.

Additionally Volunteers are also planning to visit some of the sheltered accommodation in the borough with Christmas cards, calendars and a range of fundraising items for sale.

The group are always looking for volunteers to help in a wide variety of interesting roles and further information about this or any aspect of the services Guide Dogs provide can be obtained by contacting the Belfast office on (0845) 3727402.

Josephine McCormick with guide dog Marcelle and Tori Tennant with guide dog Bushi, are pictured with Jean Lynn, Jennifer Winning, Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Morrison, Steve Andrews, Alison Hanna and Noreen McKeown promoting the Guide Dogs for the Blind collection day in the Tower Centre on November 27. INBT45-215AC

Josephine McCormick with guide dog Marcelle with newly qualified dog handler Tori Tennant with guide dog Bushi.INBT45-216AC