FORWARD: Autumn/Winter 2023 Guide Dogs presents the Autumn/Winter 2023 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. Guide Dogs Forward The Guide Dogs magazine Autumn/Winter 2023 A dog lover called Martin! Martin Clunes makes TV show about the secret world of guide dogs Inside: Find out about our amazing Channel 5 series All the winners of this year’s People Awards Meet our new CEO in his first welcome piece for Forward On the front cover is a photograph of actor and presenter Martin Clunes smiling as he holds a tiny new-born Labrador puppy in each hand. Contents Regulars – Welcome from the CEO 5 Regulars – News 6 Find out what’s been going on Regulars – Guide Dogs in the media 10 We’ve been gracing the small screen a lot! Regulars – Star news 11 Read about Dame Darcey meeting puppy Darcey Features – A class act – developing the PREP standard for puppy classes 12 Features – Four questions for Guide Dogs 13 Features – Meet our People Award winners 14 Features – It’s a family affair! 18 Features – Erin and Quince’s story 20 Features – Guiding Stars at Christmas 23 Features – Our Scotmid partnership comes to a record-breaking end 24 Regulars – A day in the life of… Lucy Richardson, Breeding Dog Wellbeing Technician 25 Regulars – Thank you to our supporters 26 Regulars – On the campaign trail 29 Regulars – Letters & caption competition 30 Puppy Carol is distracted by her toy basket Regulars – In good company 31 Promotions 33 Contact details – arising from the articles in this edition of Forward 35 Included here are eight photographs. The first is of Martin Clunes on his farm, sat with some of his pet dogs and Jaina Mistry, who has her retired black Labrador guide dog Laura sat at her feet. The second is of retired ballet dancer Dame Darcey Bussell holding six-month-old yellow lab-retriever puppy Darcey. The third is of a puppy raiser walking her yellow Labrador guide dog puppy. The fourth is of Inspirational Young Person of the Year Mason Davies holding a small yellow Labrador puppy. The fifth is of nine-year-old Erin grooming yellow Labrador buddy dog Quince with a brush. The sixth is of Guide Dogs supporters at a Kiltwalk walking event in Scotland. The seventh is of NI Fundraising Manager Gary Wilson presenting a Volunteer Award certificate to Caroline McGrath. The eighth is of yellow Labrador guide dog puppy Carol lying on the floor with her head inside her toy basket. Subscription enquiries: You’re receiving this copy of Forward magazine as one of our valued supporters. Forward is available in standard print, Braille, large print and audio CD formats. It’s also available online as an accessible PDF, as a plain text document and as audio files at www.guidedogs.org.uk/forward. If you no longer wish to receive this magazine, or if you wish to change the format in which it’s sent to you, please contact us on 0800 953 0113 or via guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk. Editorial contributions: Send your stories to Forward by email to forward@guidedogs.org.uk or addressed to “Forward magazine” by post to the Head Office address below. Unfortunately, due to the volume of ideas we receive, we cannot acknowledge every item. We reserve the right to edit or refuse. 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 Web: www.guidedogs.org.uk Email: guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk © 2023 Registered charity in England and Wales (209617), Scotland (SC038979) and Isle of Man (1334). B011 09/23 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 Andrew On joining Guide Dogs at the end of July I was fortunate to have the time to get out into the charity and meet many of our colleagues, volunteers and service users before I took the reins formally from former CEO Tom Wright at the AGM on 19 September. Several people have asked about my experiences, and my insights can be summed up in four stories that I have experienced along the way. The first story was the joy I saw on the face of a new guide dog owner on day one. We’d met at my interview, when he was using a cane, so to see him training with his first dog, Chester, was amazing. He knows there will be good days and bad as he learns and bonds, but his freedom was about to get an upgrade and his smile spoke to my heart – and that was just the first day! My second story came from meeting some of our trainee Guide Dog Mobility Specialists in Hamilton, Scotland, where I asked what it felt like to qualify a partnership. They couldn’t give me any words and instead just showed me a picture of a guide dog owner on class with the biggest smile you’ve ever seen. What we do is truly amazing and while not all of us are directly delivering services, every one of us plays a part in getting that smile. My third story came from the community team attending an event in Southampton where four young people with significant vision impairments were paddle boarding and climbing with the support of our Children and Young People team. The breadth of support we provide on the whole-life journey is astounding. In these stories, I met inspirational people within our Guide Dogs world; my fourth story was one that has given me perspective on how our work is made possible. While visiting a training site, a man came in to thank the team for bringing joy to his brother who lived opposite and has terminal cancer. Every day he’d been able to watch dogs train and it raised his spirits as he battled the disease. As he looked to his passing, he had decided to leave his estate to Guide Dogs. As the brother left his flat that afternoon, we got two guide dogs out to meet him to bring one more smile before he headed off to a care environment. While I only met him for a few minutes, it will have a profound impact on my decisions as I truly understand that what we do is only possible because of the generous hearts of our volunteers, donors and supporters. It has been an amazing first few months, and I am looking forward to supporting our family with the same passion and dedication that I have seen from you all. Thank you, Andrew Lennox Chief Executive Guide Dogs PS I’m also sneaking in a shout out for the mid-Wiltshire volunteers who introduced me to fundraising outside a supermarket with dogs and buckets, not to mention their Tuesday morning social! Included here are two photographs. The first is of CEO Andrew Lennox wearing a white shirt and smiling. The second is of Andrew with the Mid-Wiltshire volunteer fundraising group outside a supermarket. News Christmas Wishes This year’s most heart-warming festive celebration! Our annual Christmas Wishes Concert takes place on Tuesday 5 December at Manchester Cathedral, and in-person and virtual tickets were still available when this edition of Forward went to press. There will be inspiring stories and festive readings from celebrity guests including actor and presenter Martin Clunes and Countdown’s Susie Dent as host. You can sing your favourite carols and listen to live music from the twin sopranos Classical Reflection, Baluji Shrivastav OBE of the Inner Vision Trio, and The Manchester West End Musical Choir. Ticket prices are £24 for general admission or £12 to live-stream, and the very latest availability information can be found at www.guidedogs.org.uk/christmaswishes. The website also has details of the wonderful prizes available in the silent auction, which closes at 9pm on the evening of the concert. Included here is a photograph of a guide dog owner wearing a winter coat and a Santa hat, smiling at her yellow Labrador guide dog as they sit inside Manchester Cathedral. Guide Dogs-inspired football kit makes its debut Scottish Championship football side Arbroath FC were led out on to the pitch by adorable guide dog puppies for a match with local rivals Montrose in late July. Having partnered with Guide Dogs for the season, the club wore their new third kit for the first time, which proudly sports our labrador yellow and inky blue colours. The five pups, Archie, Lark, Quilla, Rodney and Ronny, and fully-trained dogs Twiggy and Alice, were official mascots for the match and, supported by puppy raisers at the pitchside, demonstrated the great behaviours learned by leading the teams out for the Angus derby. The puppy walk-out is the latest in our football engagement work, which has included televised features and My Sighted Guide training with English Premier League clubs. We are also helping to improve accessibility in the game by working alongside the English Football League, recently delivering a packed webinar to all 72 member clubs. Included here is a photograph of the Arbroath team wearing their blue-and-yellow kit, complete with Guide Dogs logo on their tops, shorts and socks, standing on the pitch with Labrador, German shepherd and golden retriever guide dog puppies. Save the date for PAWS ON THE WHARF In spring 2024 Guide Dogs and event organisers Wild in Art are bringing Paws on the Wharf, a free accessible public art event, to Canary Wharf and Tower Hamlets in London. From 25 March to 17 May, the trail will showcase larger-than-life guide dog sculptures individually designed by talented artists, including artists with sight loss. Supported by Citi and hosted by the Canary Wharf Group, the trail will celebrate Guide Dogs’ life-changing work and raise awareness of the challenges of sight loss. It will also drive conversations about accessibility and inclusion. There’ll be different accessible navigation options, audio descriptions, bookable guided sensory tours and more. For more information, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/PawsOnTheWharf. Presented by Guide Dogs WILD IN ART Supported by Citi Hosted by CANARY WHARF GROUP Included here is a photograph of a yellow Labrador guide dog looking up at a large white guide dog sculpture. German shepherds are a breed apart Guide Dogs’ new research suggests that negative perceptions of German shepherds could be affecting guide dog owners who have them. More than a quarter of the public (27%) think they’re an aggressive dog breed, and only 55% said they believed a German shepherd could be an assistance dog. Tim Stafford, Guide Dogs’ Director of Canine Affairs, said: “German shepherds do not deserve the negative reputation they seem to carry. Like any other active dog breed, they can behave poorly if they don’t get the physical exercise and mental stimulation they need. But German shepherds are loyal, adaptable and incredibly intelligent, making them excellent guide dogs for those who want a fast-moving and focused companion. In fact, German shepherds were the very first guide dogs in the UK back in 1931. “It would be wonderful if more people recognised the companionship and independence they give to people with sight loss.” Included here is a photograph of three small German shepherd puppies looking over the side of a play pen. Remembering two special service users Everyone in the Guide Dogs family was saddened following the deaths of two prominent service user volunteers in recent months. John Garvie was well known in the Scottish Guide Dogs community through his fundraising, campaigning and the many friendships he formed with staff and fellow volunteers. His commitment to Guide Dogs was unquestionable and evident in the numerous roles he carried out to support all aspects of our work. John, who lived in Glasgow, also appeared in the last edition of Forward, talking about the benefits of using Positive Reinforcement Training with his guide dog, William. Included here is a photograph of John Garvie standing in his garden with his black Labrador guide dog William. Paul Fuller appeared in our 2020 Sponsor A Puppy television advert, and supported Guide Dogs’ Fundraising and Marketing teams by sharing his story and fronting many different campaigns. The owner of guide dog Bolt, Paul worked as Executive Director of Partnerships for the disability equality charity Scope. Included here is a photograph of Paul Fuller stroking his yellow Labrador guide dog Bolt. Everyone at Guide Dogs would like to extend their condolences to the families and friends of Paul and John. IGDF renews Guide Dogs accreditation The International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) – the only official umbrella association for guide dog organisations/schools across the globe - has renewed Guide Dogs’ accreditation. IGDF performed a rigorous multi-day, multi-centre assessment, involving detailed evaluation of our written policies, our facilities, our vehicles and observation of our approach to dog training, welfare, and our services. Assessors also spoke to staff, volunteers and service users to confirm that our policies and procedures translate into practice. We are delighted to say we passed all 10 standards, with no issues needing to be addressed. Having official IGDF recognition is an important appreciation of the high-quality services we aim to provide, and a thorough analysis from leading, globally recognised experts gives us confidence that guide dogs qualified by an IGDF-accredited organisation will behave appropriately in public. Guide Dogs helps create safer city centre Cardiff Council has agreed to remove controversial bus borders in the city centre after a two-year campaign led by Guide Dogs Cymru, which included our supporters lobbying councillors. Bus borders are a type of road layout where passengers are expected to cross a cycle lane to get on or off a bus, and several vision-impaired people have reported near misses when cyclists have failed to stop. To help the council create a safer alternative, we have commissioned an independent access audit and will share its findings when completed. Found – the first three issues of Forward magazine This year marks Forward’s 80th anniversary and to celebrate, the spring/summer edition included a feature about the magazine’s formative years. Sadly it appeared as though the first three editions of Forward were lost to the mists of time, and we appealed to readers to get in touch if they had them in their archives. Forward’s very first editor was Captain Nikolai Liakhoff, and happily his granddaughter Olga Bibikoff got in touch to say that they were among the huge collection of Guide Dogs-related documents passed down to her from her grandparents. The first issue is dated May 1943, and its introduction reads: “This is the first issue of a bulletin of information for guide dog owners. The original project, springing from the initiative of a number of guide dog owners, was to publish a periodical magazine containing articles and other material of general interest within the guide dog movement. The project has had to be modified, since paper control regulations forbid the publication of new periodicals in war time. “We are, however, aiming to publish, from time to time, a bulletin of news and information that will be helpful to guide dog owners. Although the short comings of such a publication are obvious, readers will appreciate the difficult circumstances in which it is produced. We hope that they will look upon this slim publication not only as something to serve present purposes, but also as the forerunner of the guide dog magazine of the future. In the meantime we hope that guide dog owners will find the information here useful in keeping them in touch with developments of the guide dog movement, in helping them with some of their difficulties, and in keeping them informed of all the things that every guide dog owner should know.” We would like to thank Olga for getting in touch and for keeping these important pieces of Guide Dogs’ history safe. Included here is a photograph of the front cover of the first issue of Forward magazine, dated May 1943 and featuring a drawing of a German shepherd guide dog in a very old-fashioned harness. Guide Dogs in the media Puppy School for Guide Dogs airs on Channel 5 This summer, Guide Dogs worked with television production company Darlow Smith Productions on a new series for Channel 5 called Puppy School for Guide Dogs. Staff, volunteers and pups, and guide dog owners took part in the programme, which aired in September. The four-part factual entertainment series, voiced by presenter and comedian Mel Giedroyc, shone a light on the life-changing puppies who will help people with vision impairments to live actively, independently and well. The show also gave people a look into our world-class guide dog training. Viewers followed the stories of puppies and dogs and the humans who train them or rely on them. It started with guide dog mum Ela, who was set to give birth. Viewers met Ela’s breeding dog holder family, as well as puppy raisers and fosterers. There were heartwarming stories including 16-year-old Hester, a Paralympic skiing hopeful who’s about to become a young guide dog owner. Some of our dogs with alternative careers also appeared, including guide dog dad Trigger and buddy dog Riley. The show generated huge awareness of the charity and the important work guide dogs do. We saw a spike in volunteer applications, interest in careers at Guide Dogs, and clicks to our website. We had so much fun filming the series and are thrilled that so many people have been able to see what it takes to train these special dogs and find out how they transform lives. The series is still available on My5, or by going to www.channel5.com and searching “Puppy School for Guide Dogs”. Included here is a photograph of breeding dog holder Kath Saunders, holding two yellow Labrador puppies from guide dog mum Ela’s litter. Jaina’s story moves Martin Clunes to action When actor Martin Clunes heard about a guide dog owner needing a new home for her retired guide dog, he was so moved that he offered the dog a home and made a programme for ITV about Guide Dogs! Martin heard Jaina Mistry on a podcast saying that her guide dog Laura would need a new home when she started training with a new dog. Laura went to live on Martin’s farm in Dorset. He said: “Jaina’s story was like having a window opened on a whole other world. It’s an incredibly moving world where animals are trained to do a life-changing job… And it dawned on me that most of us know virtually nothing about the secret lives of Britain’s heroic army of guide dogs – so I decided to do something about it.” A Dog Called Laura with Martin Clunes: The Secret World of Guide Dogs aired on ITV1 on 5 October and is still available on ITVX. Included here is a photograph of Martin Clunes on his farm, sat with some of his pet dogs and with Jaina Mistry, who has her retired black Labrador guide dog Laura sat at her feet. Star news It’s tutu cute! Dame Darcey Bussell meets her puppy namesake World-famous retired ballet dancer Dame Darcey Bussell stopped by her former ballet school in Richmond Park, London, to meet adorable six-month-old guide dog puppy in training, Darcey. Last year, The Royal Ballet School students decided to fundraise to name a guide dog puppy. They held bake and jumble sales, while some students took on additional fundraising challenges such as helping at their family business or doing extra chores. They unanimously chose the name Darcey to honour the school’s youngest-ever principal dancer, Dame Darcey. Through Guide Dogs’ Name a Puppy scheme, students will be able to follow the yellow lab-retriever on their unique journey, gaining insights into the world of guide dogs through regular pupdates. Dame Darcey said: “To know that puppy Darcey, who has my name, is hopefully going to go on to be a little life-changer for someone with sight loss is just overwhelming. It really is a wonderful achievement and I’m so honoured that this adorable puppy was named after me.” Included here is a photograph of Dame Darcey Bussell in a dance studio at The Royal Ballet School. She is holding puppy Darcey’s lead and is surrounded by students wearing their leotards and tutus. Carol forecasts a bright future… Guide Dogs took BBC Breakfast by storm in July when meteorologist Carol Kirkwood presented the show’s weather segments live from our National Centre in Warwickshire, surrounded by a litter of mischievous guide dog puppies. One of the litter was Carol’s namesake guide dog puppy, Carol, named in honour of the famous moment at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2021, when Carol was pulled over by then guide dog puppy Flash live on BBC Breakfast. Flash went on to become a guide dog mum and puppy Carol is from her first litter. As well as meeting her namesake, Carol was also reunited with Flash. Included here is a photograph of Carol Kirkwood holding small yellow Labrador puppy Carol. A birthday reunion Entrepreneur James Middleton, brother of HRH The Princess of Wales, was recently reunited with Bertie, the puppy he donated to train to become a guide dog last year. In a touching tribute to the late monarch, James called the puppy Bertie, after Queen Elizabeth II’s father Albert. To celebrate their first birthday, Bertie was also reunited with his sister Isla and mum Mabel. Mabel’s litter has even more star power as BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don’s pup, Ned, is Bertie and Isla’s brother. Included here is a photograph of James Middleton with golden retrievers Bertie, Isla and Mabel. Puppy classes A class act Developing the Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) standard for puppy classes Our puppy classes are a vital teaching component for both our volunteers and puppies to learn and practise a range of training techniques and behaviours needed for a future guide dog partnership. Volunteer puppy raisers also benefit from learning how to manage and interpret the different puppy developmental stages. Based on our Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) training principles – our standard way of raising guide dog puppies - we’ve made some fundamental changes to the way we organise and deliver puppy classes. Our new PREP puppy classes now begin in the car park, not the classroom, because getting out of a car and heading into class - wherever that’s located - is an important lesson in itself. We’ve also made class sizes smaller to allow volunteers and puppies more support, which helps with concentration and having more space to practise. Each class focuses on a set number of topics or training behaviours which are shared ahead of class with volunteers who can also contribute to the session. In some cases, Puppy Development Advisers (PDAs) can organise additional pre-work support for puppy raisers virtually. Even breaks have been designed so puppy raisers can socialise while enjoying a little light refreshment while their puppies learn to settle quietly - an essential behaviour for guide dogs. While we’ve rolled out many PREP elements to puppy classes, we have a few more to introduce nationally. We’re currently putting in place scenario-based learning or role-playing in classes so volunteers can teach their puppies specific behaviours in various settings. For example, how to navigate a busy coffee shop, from ordering with a puppy in tow to settling them next to your table while avoiding any distractions. Our vision is that all puppy classes will give volunteers an opportunity to put their e-learning, advice from their PDA, and day-to-day activities into practice in a supported group environment - either on location or in a themed classroom. Included here is a photograph of puppy raisers practising a café scenario with their puppies, sitting at tables with their puppies settled on their mats. Four questions for Guide Dogs We know that sometimes the same questions come up – so we asked the experts... Is it true that you never say “no” to a dog? Emma Mellor, from our Shrewsbury Team, said: “It’s a myth that we don’t say no to our dogs – we do sometimes, but we use it to interrupt an unwanted behaviour, redirect to something we want, and reward for doing that. Real life happens - if your dog is about to steal your sandwich, you’re going to say no to stop the behaviour - but then you give them something to do which you can reward and move on - and put the sandwich out of reach next time! It’s remarkable how rarely you need to use the “no” word if you focus on other elements of dog training. But yes, we can and do use “no”.” Why are waiting times so long – is it to do with the way we train our dogs? Tim Stafford, our Director of Canine Affairs, said: “People are waiting longer than anyone would like, but this has to do with the pandemic rather than our training methods. We only bred around 450 pups through the pandemic year, and success rates fell because of the lack of socialisation and the huge challenges of training partnerships in those conditions. It takes two years from a pup being born to being ready to be matched, so the ongoing impact is still very much with us. But our breeding numbers are now back on track, success rates are climbing, and we have 60 new front-line staff coming through training, which all helps us get back to where we want to be.” Is there a set retirement age for guide dogs? Chief Operations Officer Pete Osborne, said: “There is no standard retirement age. We approach each case on its own merits, and we look at the situation. Maybe a dog is slowing down or there are health concerns that begin to occur once a dog moves past nine years. But exactly when a dog retires is a decision that we will take on a person-centred and partnership-focused basis, for the health and the safety of dog and owner – we don’t make a universal decision.” Are qualification rates lower than they used to be? Ken Mayes, Assistant Director of the guide dog service, explained: “We use several markers to track our success rates, and one of the key ones is the percentage of dogs who move successfully through their formal training and on to being matched with a client. This fluctuates from year to year, as there are many factors which impact it, but we have typically seen rates of around 70%. During and following the pandemic this fell to just below 50%, but we are now at around 60%, with the number improving steadily. We are working on all the elements which feed into this success, so we give our dogs the very best chance of going on to change lives.” You can listen to these and other issues being discussed on the 12 September edition of BBC Radio 4’s In Touch programme by going to BBC Sounds and searching for “In Touch”, or find out much more by watching our The Journey of a Guide Dog series – search for “Journey of a Guide Dog” at www.guidedogs.org.uk. People Awards 2023 And the award goes to… Our annual People Awards celebrate our incredible volunteers, service users and staff, shining a light on their huge contribution and outstanding achievements. This year, the winners were announced on 8 November at a glittering awards ceremony at our North West Regional Centre in Atherton, Manchester, hosted by BBC Breakfast presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay. Included here is a photograph of the awards ceremony venue, with a stage at the far end and tables laid out, awaiting guests. The room is dark, with spotlights shining out from the stage. We’re delighted to introduce a new category for 2023, the Hero Dog Award. This is for any of our dogs - guide dog, buddy dog or guide dog mum or dad - who has gone above and beyond, or is just an everyday hero who deserves recognition for everything they do. Service User awards winners * Outstanding Person of the Year - Scott Bailey, guide dog owner, Liverpool * Guide Dog Partnership of the Year – Anica Zeyen and Lassie, Reading * Inspirational Young Person of the Year – Mason Davies * Hero Dog Award – Stormzy, buddy dog to Josselin Volunteer awards winners * Person-Centred – Marilyn Fisher, Volunteer Voices representative, Speaker, Fundraising group Coordinator, Collection Box Coordinator and Merchandise Coordinator, South East * Expert – Lisa Allison, Puppy Raiser, Speaker and Fundraiser, North West * Optimistic – Yvonne Smith, Puppy Raiser and Puppy Fosterer, Midlands * Partner – Sevenoaks Fundraising Group, South East * Lead by Example – Catherine Pitney, Fundraising Group Coordinator, Collection Box Coordinator, Merchandise Coordinator and Fundraiser, South West * Engage – Lynda Browett, My Sighted Guide, South West * Community My Sighted Guiding Award - Bryan White, South East * The Chairman’s Innovation Award – Terry Quinn, Speaker and Fundraiser, North East. * The Princess Alexandra Award for Lifetime Achievement – Janet and Clive Evans, Brood and Stud dog Fosterers, Midlands Staff awards winners * Person-Centred – Anna Standing, CAS Operations Manager, Midlands and East * Expert – Pete Lock, National Habilitation Lead, Belfast * Optimistic – Janine Dixon, Head of Breeding Operations, National Centre * Partner – Guide Dogs’ Events Team * Lead by Example – Tony Benham, CAS Operations Manager, North East * Engage – Anne Rowse, Community Fundraising Relationship Manager, Edinburgh * The Chairman’s Innovation Award – Lisa Knight (Head of Community Fundraising) and team, with credit for volunteer Rob Armstrong * The Princess Alexandra Award for Lifetime Achievement – Peter Smith, Guide Dog Mobility Specialist, Scotland & Northern Ireland Outstanding Person of the Year Scott Bailey In the four years since Scott lost his sight to diabetic retinopathy, he has fought every day against depression and anxiety to regain his independence and become a hands-on father to his daughters again. Unable to continue working as a dairy farmer, he pushed himself to get back into education, completing an undergraduate degree and now a Masters, planning to become a counsellor helping others dealing with sight loss. He has also taken up Judo, his dedication to training seeing him picked for the Paralympic potential squad for the Los Angeles 2028 games. A fantastic ambassador for Guide Dogs, Scott’s life might not be the one he dreamed of, but he has created one he could never have possibly imagined. Included here is a photograph of Scott Bailey with his golden retriever guide dog Milo. Guide Dog Partnership of the Year Anica Zeyen and Lassie In true partnerships, both parties help each other become their best selves. Lassie helped Anica become a professor under the age of 40 – not something many people achieve, let alone with a disability. Lassie also helped Anica (and husband Chris) give two boys a new family through adoption. Lassie was patient and loving to the boys, helping them settle when they arrived, and she enables Anica to participate in the active lifestyle the boys need. Meanwhile Lassie was facing early retirement after a failed match knocked her confidence. Her tail was always between her legs until she first met Anica, when it started wagging again and hasn’t stopped since. Anica’s bubbly and positive personality has given Lassie her confidence back and she still loves working aged almost 10. Included here is a photograph of Anica Zeyen with her yellow Labrador guide dog Lassie. Inspirational Young Person of the Year Mason Davies Mason Davies is a bundle of fundraising energy who inspired a whole community to raise money for Guide Dogs. He quickly exceeded his initial target of £500, collecting more than £30,000 within months and naming three guide dog puppies. Mason, who lives on a farm in Llandrindod Wells in Powys, Wales, became determined to help others after being told he could lose all his vision within a year, and because of the gift of an iPad through Guide Dogs’ Tech For All scheme. The 12-year-old also wanted to raise awareness of Guide Dogs in his remote rural community. His immensely proud parents, Gareth and Nicola Davies, said: “He doesn’t like being different. He always starts the day with a smile and ends the day with a smile.” Included here is a photograph of Mason Davies holding a small yellow Labrador puppy. Hero Dog Award Stormzy Stormzy has been Josselin’s buddy dog since April 2022. Josselin has had more than 30 operations and so is understandably anxious of hospitals but Stormzy has a calming effect on her when he accompanies her to sometimes unpleasant procedures. Their partnership is so special, the children’s hospice that Josselin attends asked them to be the stars of their Christmas appeal, raising more than £50,000 for children with life-limiting conditions. It’s not just Josselin’s life that Stormzy lights up. When they know he’s in the waiting room, hospital staff all come out to stroke him, while the local bin men have a gravy bone for him every Wednesday morning. An ever-loyal friend, Stormzy walks Josselin out to the school bus in the morning and greets her from the bus in the afternoon. Included here is a photograph of golden retriever buddy dog Stormzy. The Chairman’s Innovation Award Terry Quinn (volunteer winner) When Terry lost his sight, he also lost himself, going from a hard-working, fun-loving, confident and exuberant person to a frightened, lonely, introverted shell of his former self. When he was matched with his guide dog, Spencer, Terry’s life came back quickly, and better than ever. Now a volunteer speaker and fundraiser for Guide Dogs, he has thrown himself into a completely new vocation – making original crafts to sell online. Terry will use the award’s £2,500 grant to set up a website to expand his Etsy store, Vision Craft By Terry. For every sale, he donates what he doesn’t have to spend on materials or selling fees to Guide Dogs and for each £2,500 he raises, he names a guide dog puppy. Included here is a photograph of Terry Quinn. The Chairman’s Innovation Award Lisa Knight and team (staff winner) (with credit for volunteer Rob Armstrong) In 2021, volunteer Rob Armstrong spotted a fundraising opportunity - collecting foreign and old UK currency. With his local Community Fundraising Manager, Ruth Evans, Rob launched a six-month pilot project which raised £2,000 and collected 45kgs of coins. Head of Community Fundraising Lisa Knight and her team championed the pilot internally and, after some due diligence, launched the project nationally. They worked hard to produce a guide and resources to support local fundraising groups with coin collecting. This project is predicted to raise an average of £730,000 a year, and the £2,500 grant that comes with the award will be spent on boosting awareness of this fundraising activity through social media, paid-for marketing activities, and to help schools collaborate with local fundraising groups to raise funds and learn. Included here is a photograph of Lisa Knight. Princess Alexandra Award for Lifetime Achievement Janet and Clive Evans (volunteer winners) Janet and Clive have been volunteering for Guide Dogs since 1981, giving a loving home to more than 100 of our dogs. Their unwavering dedication and passion for Guide Dogs’ work is an inspiration to volunteers and staff, and they completely represent Guide Dogs’ values and behaviours. They will take on any dog, no matter the issue, and help work through any challenges the dog may present. They don’t ever give up on a dog where others likely would. They recently took a dog who couldn’t be left alone for a minute and helped him become a dog who can be left settled for over an hour. The couple’s positive outlook on working with Guide Dogs staff and not giving up is inspiring. Included here is a photograph of Janet and Clive Evans with one of the many guide dog puppies they have cared for. Princess Alexandra Award for Lifetime Achievement Peter Smith (staff winner) Pete qualified as a Guide Dog Mobility Specialist in the 1970s with the Peterborough Team, and received multiple nominations for this award. One read: “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to watch Pete work when training his dogs and have had the honour of him tutoring me on occasions, which I feel very lucky to have received!” Another said: “Pete is an absolute hero for Guide Dogs! He’s dedicated the whole of his working life to Guide Dogs and now continues to support the creation of new partnerships through his retirement years. I know few people that capture the values and behaviours of Guide Dogs more so than Pete.” One nomination included the line: “It’s an honour to work alongside him and Guide Dogs is a better place with him in it.” Included here is a photograph of Peter Smith. Volunteering It’s a family affair! Guide dog puppy George is just one offspring from guide dog mum, Ela, and guide dog dad, Zebedee. They’re all part of the same family, but each plays a different role in creating life-changing partnerships. While their lives may have taken them in different directions, we find out how they’ve brought three volunteers - each with a different role - together, not just by a common cause but through their canine family. Louise and guide dog dad, Zebedee Louise and her family decided to open their home to Zebedee, a guide dog dad, as a way to welcome a dog to their family without having to manage the tricky puppy stage alongside two young children. Louise said: “Zeb is just a regular dog to us, however we are reminded of his role when the phone rings to say that he has a “date”! It’s always exciting to hear which lovely lady he’s been matched with and we’ve been fortunate enough to make contact with many of his girlfriends’ families. It’s been really great to meet some of the brood holders, including the Saunders family, the beautiful guide dog mums and their gorgeous pups. We are in complete awe of the work that they do caring for the mums and pups in their first few weeks and the opportunity to thank them in person has been very special.” Included here is a photograph of Louise with golden retriever guide dog dad Zebedee. The Saunders family and guide dog mum, Ela As volunteer breeding dog holders, the Saunders family provide a loving home and care for a guide dog mum and her puppies when they arrive. For two years, they’ve been looking after guide dog mum, Ela. Ela’s second litter arrived this summer and featured in the Channel 5 docuseries Puppy School for Guide Dogs. While Kath loves the excitement of having newborn puppies at home, she wouldn’t want it to last forever. She adds: “They’re very active and they’re lovely individually, but when there’s seven of them, it’s mayhem. It’s not about giving them up. It’s about them moving on to the next stage of doing something wonderful.” When the time comes, the puppies head into Guide Dogs’ National Centre in Leamington, Warwickshire, for health checks and vaccinations before going to their puppy raisers’ homes. Ela’s litter left with a care package and a note from Kath. Kath said: “I sent all the pups with a note about their first few weeks and included my contact details should they wish to get in touch. Trudie did! It’s so lovely to get occasional updates or photos and see how they develop over the first year.” “You’ve got this amazing member of your family but you know they’re not just an ordinary dog. They’re going to be responsible for a wave of change for many people.” Mum, Kath Included here is a photograph of Kath Saunders and family, all holding the seven yellow Labrador puppies from Ela’s litter, while their proud mum sits in front. Trudie Guise and guide dog puppy George At 16-weeks-old, George is the eighth pup to be raised by Puppy Raiser Trudie, who has been looking after guide dog puppies since 2014. From experience, Trudie knows that all dogs are different, but George is proving to be a bit of a star. Trudie said: “He is absolutely brilliant. He’s so clever and bright and so affectionate. He’s shown a lot of potential already.” Although George had already settled into his new home by the time Puppy School for Guide Dogs aired, Trudie loved seeing George and his siblings, along with mum Ela and the Saunders family, on the small screen. She said: “It was so nice to see him [on TV] and to see where he came from, it was great to get that insight.” Trudie is still in touch with the Saunders family and the other volunteers who are raising George’s siblings, and they are hoping to meet up soon for a family reunion. Before George moved in with Trudie, the Saunders gave him a very special gift – a little crochet blanket with the scent of his mum and siblings. Trudie will carry on the tradition next year when George goes into training and will send him on with a bag of his favourite toys and his blanket, to help him settle into his new home with his fosterers. For information about volunteering with our dogs, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteering. To read an extended version of this article, including more photos, please visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/blog/its-a-family-affair. Included here is a photograph of Trudie Guise holding young yellow Labrador puppy George. Erin and Quince’s story Meet Quince - a big softy, inside and out. Not only is he utterly adorable and loving, he also has a very important job. Quince’s calm nature makes him perfect as a buddy dog to nine-year-old Erin, who was born with a vision impairment. Before Quince came into her family’s lives, they found leaving the house difficult. Erin was nervous and scared, and didn’t want to leave her parents. Just three years later Erin’s confidence has soared with Quince by her side. Erin’s mum, Sarah, said: “Erin was a couple of months old when we found out she had a vision impairment. It was a really difficult time. We were still learning how to be parents and then we also had to learn how to be parents of a child who was registered blind. It was a lot to deal with and come to terms with. We just tried to do the best we could and figure it out. “We have friends with children who are similar ages. You naturally want to compare what your children are doing and when, but, particularly in those early stages, there was a lot that Erin couldn’t do because of her vision. Although everyone around us was supportive, it did feel quite isolating and lonely.” When Erin was two years old the family was appointed a Guide Dogs habilitation specialist by their local council. Their habilitation specialist taught Erin how to use a long cane and advised her family about how to make their home more accessible and worked with her nursery too. As Erin got older, her habilitation specialist also helped her at school. Sarah added: “As Erin got older, she caught up with her peers and we learnt more about her needs, which gave us a bit more confidence. As she got older, she could tell us what she could and couldn’t see, which allowed us to help her – such as painting yellow lines on our driveway and front steps. “But Erin was still quite an anxious little girl. She was unsure about lots of things. If she got invited to a birthday party she wouldn’t get involved without one of us next to her. I could tell she really wanted to do all the same things as her friends, but she was nervous and scared because she couldn’t see. Noisy places were particularly challenging. Even going to the park was difficult. Leaving the house would involve lots of planning. We’d have to think about the time of day, how busy it would be, which route we’d take, even whether the wind would be too noisy for her to hear us. It meant going out was never an enjoyable experience.” When Erin’s habilitation specialist told them about buddy dogs from Guide Dogs they jumped at the chance. Sarah said: “Erin has always loved dogs, so we thought a buddy dog could help give her a bit more confidence to believe in herself. We were hoping a buddy dog could be a positive experience around her vision impairment, as well as being a forever friend.” Quince joined Erin’s family in March 2020, just weeks before the pandemic sent the country into lockdown. Sarah said: “When Erin first met Quince she says she saw his big brown eyes and big nose. She couldn’t believe he was for her. For us, the lockdown was quite good timing. It meant Erin and Quince had time to build a close bond as we were all at home together. We were able to build a family unit and he could really settle into our family. “The difference Quince made was instant. He loved Erin for who she is. He didn’t see the nystagmus, or her glasses, or that she struggled with a step. “He became her best friend, and he let her snuggle with him and fuss him. The change he’s made is so huge it’s hard to put into words. He’s helped her be more confident and independent and she now talks positively about her vision impairment.” Erin’s confidence has grown so much that she now enjoys doing lots of different activities, including rock climbing three times a week. She also volunteers as a speaker with the Guide Dogs Events Demonstration Team alongside her mum and her dad, Anthony. Anthony said: “One of the big differences Quince has made is that he’s a focal point. People used to ask questions about her cane and it would upset her. But now Quince has his buddy dog jacket and Erin has her cane, and the conversation has changed into how Quince is a lovely dog. Erin can launch into talking about him. She gets really passionate and enthusiastic rather than being a bit withdrawn. “Since Quince arrived the change has been huge. The things Erin enjoys doing have become much easier because she’s much more confident. She loves rock climbing and has lessons every week. Now she just goes off with her instructor and we see her two hours later! The confidence she’s grown from being with Quince means she’s happy going off on her own without a backwards glance. “Quince has given Erin responsibility too. She knows that he needs to go out for walks, and she takes responsibility for giving him his breakfast and tea every day and grooming him. It’s empowering for her. “We’re now also volunteers with the Guide Dogs Events Demonstration Team. We go along to county fairs, fundraising events or companies that support Guide Dogs and speak to the audiences. Quince demonstrates some of the skills he learnt during his guide dog training and Erin and I talk about the impact he’s had on our lives. Erin gets up in front of the audience and speaks about herself and Quince. I’m so proud of her. “Looking back, there’s no way I’d imagine our shy four-year-old, who was attached to our hip, doing any of these things. She’s stood on many stages now for Guide Dogs, from the Christmas Wishes concert at St Paul’s Cathedral in London to meeting MPs in Parliament to talk about children’s education. This is all thanks to the support she’s received from Guide Dogs.” Erin said: “Quince isn’t just a buddy dog, he’s my friend. He helps me feel safe and he’s always by my side. Quince comes with me on the way to school. He’s the only dog allowed in the playground and that makes me feel special and included. He makes me feel more comfortable and he always sticks with me. “Quince has helped my confidence. A few years ago I would be scared to talk to people, but Quince has really changed my life. Quince is really special. If he wasn’t who he is, then I probably wouldn’t be who I am.” Included here are three photographs. The first is of Erin cuddling yellow Labrador buddy dog Quince. The second is of Erin with her mum, dad and Quince out for a walk. The third is of Erin halfway up an indoor rock climbing wall. Dedicate a star this Christmas in memory of a loved one As Christmas approaches, we would like to send Forward readers our best wishes and hope that you can enjoy the festivities with those who are special in your life. Christmas can also be a time when our thoughts turn to those who are no longer with us. It can be especially poignant to share those memories and honour what was important to our loved ones at this time of year. That’s why every Christmas, at Guide Dogs, we run a very special campaign where a star can be dedicated to the memory of a loved family member, friend or pet. Those who dedicate a star can take comfort in knowing their loved one’s memory has contributed to our work, helping people with sight loss to live the life they choose. Last year’s Guiding Stars appeal raised funds for a gorgeous black labrador puppy, Claus, who is now training with his puppy raiser. Our Guiding Stars pack includes two stars – one to keep and one to either post back to Guide Dogs to be displayed on a Christmas tree at one of our offices, or an image of the star with its message can be posted to our online dedication page at www.guidedogs.org.uk/guidingstars. This can be a wonderful way to remember a beloved person, pet or guide dog in this way at this special time of year. Thanks to the beautiful stars we receive, and the kind donations included with them, we can continue to transform the lives of people living with sight loss. To find out more, call 0800 953 0113 or visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/guidingstars Included here is a photograph of black Labrador guide dog puppy Claus. Name a Puppy Scotmid raises an incredible £295,000 for Guide Dogs Our charity of the year partnership with Scotmid has finished on a record-breaking high for community fundraising, raising an amazing £295,000. Staff across Scotmid’s businesses - Scotmid Co-op, Semichem, and Lakes & Dales Co-op and Funerals - held a range of fundraising activities over the 12-month partnership from collections, raffles and events in store to bingo nights, car washes, quizzes, boogie-a-thons and sponsored events and challenges. Guide Dogs would like to say a huge thank you to Scotmid’s staff, members and customers who have helped make the partnership a success. A special shout out to our fantastic volunteers who have supported the partnership throughout, whether you helped us deliver collection boxes and life-sized dogs, attended an event, organised a collection or took part in a photocall or filming, we would like to say a huge, heartfelt thank you. Thanks to Scotmid, five new specialists will be trained to work with people who live with sight loss across the area in which Scotmid operate. This includes three new Habilitation Specialists, who work with children and young people affected by vision impairment, in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England. Two new Guide Dog Mobility Specialists, who train and partner our famous guide dogs, will also be trained in Scotland as a result of funds raised by the Scotmid team. These vital roles will enable us to help so many more people to live actively, independently and well, giving them the confidence to get out and about safely, whether that’s getting to work or school, to a regular exercise class or to the shops. Scotmid will also fund a new litter of guide dog puppies through our Name a Puppy scheme, securing another generation of future life-changers! Thank you to Scotmid for helping us make a real long-term impact to the people in our community living with sight loss. We feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside such a fantastic team! To find out more about workplace fundraising for Guide Dogs and Name a Puppy, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/nameapuppy. Included here is a photograph of Scotmid chief executive John Brodie with three other Scotmid staff members holding a large cardboard bone-shaped sign with “£295,000” on it, and kneeling in front of it are three Guide Dogs puppy raisers with their puppies. Day in the Life A Day in the Life of… Lucy Richardson, Breeding Dog Wellbeing Technician Lucy Richardson has the important job of taking care of our guide dog mums and their newborn puppies – the guide dogs of the future. While most pups are born in volunteers’ homes, some births happen at our National Centre in Leamington, where Lucy is on hand to support our mums and their new litters throughout their first days and weeks, giving them the very best start in life. Lucy said: “We deal with the day-to-day care of the dogs and puppies. It’s the cleaning, health checking, feeding, grooming, environmental enrichment and everything in between. “One morning I might be working in the whelping block, introducing puppies to play, toys and other new sights, sounds and smells to start socialising them, and carrying out some health checks on a guide dog mum who is due to give birth or about to become pregnant. We want our mums to be nice and healthy to be able to carry their pups, and a health check involves checking over the dog’s whole body, starting with the eyes, ears, nose and mouth, to ensure any abnormalities are picked up promptly. “In the afternoon, I might spend my time in the boarding girls’ block, taking adult dogs out into the field to play and run, or grooming them to keep their coats in tip-top condition. “What I love most about my job is definitely the whelpings, the process of the guide dog mum giving birth to her pups. “Like humans, this can start at any time of the day or night, and the National Centre is open 24/7 so we can provide round-the-clock care for all dogs on site. “Before joining Guide Dogs, I worked with volunteers at an animal charity, and then prior to that I did an animal behaviour and welfare degree at university. I’ve always wanted to work with animals and for a charity, and I’m now lucky to work alongside a really great team of people, volunteers, and a lovely bunch of dogs and puppies too. As long as you don’t mind a bit of cleaning and some unsociable hours, every day is different and that makes it really rewarding.” To find out more about Lucy’s role, the Spotlight page of our website at www.guidedogs.org.uk/blog/topic/careers-spotlight includes a short video about her work, as well as highlighting many other careers at Guide Dogs. Included here is a photograph of Lucy Richardson surrounded by young black and yellow Labradors in one of the National Centre’s puppy play areas. Thank you to our supporters Dear supporters, It’s the time of year when things normally wind down as people look forward to the holidays, but I know that our amazing fundraisers are busier than ever and never stop in their support of our work, whatever the time of year. As the stories on these pages illustrate, their energy and spirit are tireless, whether they’re walking 1,000 miles like Karin Snape, climbing Mont Blanc like Lucy Hobson, or taking on a series of 10k runs like Louise Jenkins. It’s marvellous to hear about all the ways you’re raising money to help us support people with sight loss to live actively, independently and well. As always, thank you so much for your support. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year. Deborah Bourne Director of Fundraising Lucy Hobson climbed Mont Blanc on the France/Italy border in August and raised nearly £2,800. Lucy is partnered with guide dog Jenny, and while she wasn’t with Lucy for this climbing adventure, the black labrador helped by accompanying Lucy on her Peak District training sessions. Lucy, from Manchester, also raised money for Guide Dogs by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro last year, and said on her JustGiving page: “This is why I take on challenges… To raise as much money as possible so more people get to feel the way I do when I’m with Jenny.” Included here is a photograph of Lucy Hobson on top of Mont Blanc holding a Guide Dogs T-shirt. The inaugural Builth Wells Tractor Run (an event where a large number of farming vehicle owners drive along an agreed route) in Mid Wales raised £700 for Guide Dogs Cymru, with nearly 50 tractors old and new taking part. It was organised by Nigel Gethin, whose wife Heather is the proud owner of guide dog Farley. Nigel led the run in his Zetor, while golden retriever Farley enjoyed plenty of cuddles at a fun day for children. Included here is a photograph of vintage tractors driving up a hill on the Tractor Run. Ian West, from Nottingham, took on an epic local challenge over the summer, raising £487 for three charities. Ian walked for 11 hours a day, five days a week for four weeks around Vernon Park, Bulwell Hall Park, Titchfield Park and Bestwood Country Park to raise money for Guide Dogs (as his brother has macular degeneration) and two other good causes. Ian said he wanted to “do something different” and to “keep it in Nottingham”, having previously walked to every UK Premier League football club and around the entire coast of Britain for charity. Included here is a photograph of Ian West at the entrance to Bulwell Hill Park. Mirzda Oak proved you’re never too old to fundraise for Guide Dogs when she celebrated her 100th birthday by welcoming donations in lieu of gifts. Generous party-goers donated an amazing £540 which Mirzda, from Northern Ireland, kindly doubled donating a grand total of £1,080. Mirzda, who was initially a volunteer driver for Guide Dogs before beginning to fundraise in her local Lisburn area, says she would encourage anyone who is having a “big birthday” to think of Guide Dogs! Included here is a photograph of Mirzda Oak in her garden, presenting a cheque to Jo Toner and her guide dog Emba, a yellow golden retriever/Labrador cross. Runner Louise Jenkins raised more than £1,200 after being paired with new guide dog Sian by completing five challenging South Wales 10k events. Louise, a housing officer from Lampeter in West Wales, said: “When I was without a guide dog, I found it a struggle to get out and about independently. I even lost the confidence to go running. It’s so different now I have Sian. She certainly is my life-changer.” Included here is a photograph of Louise Jenkins with her yellow Labrador guide dog Sian. Andrew Elliker-Reeve, from Beeford in the East Riding of Yorkshire, had raised £3,280 of his £10,000 target when this edition of Forward went to press. As a former biker himself, Andrew set himself the challenge of riding pillion on as many motorbikes as possible in one day, appealing to local bikers to help. Andrew wants to raise money for Guide Dogs after being left with sight loss from complications following surgery, and has already named a guide dog puppy Skye. He hopes to show people that “being blind is not the end of life but the start of something new and exciting”. The Airedale and Wharfedale fundraising group in Yorkshire had a busy summer, attending a wide variety of events and raising more than £5,000. They attended carnivals, organised collections at supermarkets, garden centres and Leeds Bradford Airport, took part in car boot sales, visited schools and gave talks to various organisations. They even accepted an invitation from Ilkley Art Club to take along two retired guide dogs, Spencer and Ben, to have their portraits painted for which they were paid generous “modelling fees”. Included here is a photograph of members of the Airedale and Wharfedale group at a fundraising event. Puppy raiser Karin Snape raised £25,000 by walking 1,000 miles dressed as a Labrador. Karin took eight weeks to walk from John O’Groats in northern Scotland to Land’s End in Cornwall, with detours for visits including Guide Dogs’ National Centre in Warwickshire. Karin, from Warrington, Cheshire, celebrated her 66th birthday on the road, and averaged 15 to 18 miles a day. Karin, who will name 10 guide dog puppies with her donation, said: “My grandson is visually impaired and I have some close friends who have guide dogs so I wanted to give something back.” Included here is a photograph of Karin Snape next to the iconic Land’s End signpost. One of the fingers reads: “Guide Dogs June 12th WI Rocks”. Fosterers Graham and Anne Hinchey reflected on an incredible year as Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Cardiff, raising £85,000 for Guide Dogs Cymru. They thanked staff and volunteers for their support at a cheque presentation at the Mansion House. This year Wrexham Mayor Andy Williams, a full-time firefighter, and Caerphilly Mayor Mike Adams have also named Guide Dogs Cymru as Charity of the Year, continuing the trend. Included here is a photograph of Mayor Andy Williams dressed in his firefighter’s personal protective equipment uniform, with a yellow Labrador guide dog puppy. Scott Cunningham raised more than £1,300 by running the 56-mile Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon on 7 October. The date was significant as it was 30 years to the day that Scott lost his sight, and he was the first person with sight loss to take on the ultramarathon. Scott, who was guided by his friend David, said: “Every penny went to the charity who gave me my life back, from my first guide dog Ike back in 1995 to my current guide dog Lincoln.” Scott, from Larkhall in Lanarkshire, also ran in memory of his late friend Jim “Kirky” Kirk, who inspired him to take up running seven years ago. Included here is a photograph of Scott Cunningham with his yellow Labrador guide dog Lincoln outside Edinburgh Castle. Caroline McGrath, Co-Ordinator for the Banbridge & Newry fundraising group in Northern Ireland, took on Ireland’s tallest mountain, Carrauntoohil, in County Kerry in July and the Mourne Seven Summits in September, raising £500. Caroline took on the intrepid challenges with the help of female-led hiking tour company, Wild Mountain NI. Included here is a photograph of NI Fundraising Manager Gary Wilson presenting a Volunteer Award certificate to Caroline McGrath. On the campaign trail Guide Dogs launches campaign to strengthen the law on pavement parking In September Guide Dogs launched a campaign calling on the Government to crack down on pavement parking. Vehicles obstructing footpaths and pathways cause huge difficulties for people with a vision impairment. People with sight loss cannot always see if they can safely squeeze past a parked car, often their only alternative is to step into the road around it – an extremely unsafe option that exposes them to oncoming traffic. New Guide Dogs research found that more than eight in ten people (85%) know that pavement parking impacts the safety of pedestrians who are blind or partially sighted, while nearly three-quarters (72%) said pavement parking is common in their area. Additional polling also revealed only one in five (22%) of local councillors in England believed the current powers to tackle the issue were sufficient. The Government consulted on options to tackle pavement parking in 2020, and received more than 15,000 responses, including from Guide Dogs, yet no progress has been made. Guide Dogs is calling for a new law on pavement parking which would support limiting pavement parking to specific areas where it is deemed unavoidable by the local council. Three quarters (74%) of councillors in England support Guide Dogs’ call, with 57% of the public also supporting the move. You can find out more about Guide Dogs’ pavement parking campaign online at www.guidedogs.org.uk/pavementparking. Included here is a photograph of a guide dog owner in a powered wheelchair, with her black Labrador guide dog, forced into the road because of cars parked on the pavement. We’re looking for people with experience of sight loss At Guide Dogs, we’re always campaigning to help people with vision impairments live the life they choose. To do so effectively, it’s vital that we hear from people with sight loss, so we can better understand the challenges they’re facing and what needs to change. To share your experiences, get involved in our campaigns, or to find out more, our Lived Experience Officers can be contacted via email on campaigns@guidedogs.org.uk, or by calling 0800 781 1444 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, ask for a Lived Experience Officer), or write to Lived Experience Officers, Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, 2nd Floor, Tavistock House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HR. Letters Puppy raiser Lyn snuffles out fundraising success My mum Lyn has raised an amazing £10,000 for Guide Dogs. When her dad passed away a few days into the first Covid lockdown, Mum needed something to take her mind off the grief, so she decided to make a snuffle mat for Jeannie, the puppy she and my dad Gary were raising at the time. As she made it, she had the idea to make and sell more mats to name a puppy after my grandad. Mum has now named four puppies. There’s Pat, as my grandad was a postman and Pat was her late mum’s name, Peter, after my other grandad who passed away in 2015, Joycie, after Mum’s best friend’s late mum, and Maryann, one of Mum’s closest friends who died last year. From all the family, well done Mum for all your hard work. We are all very proud of what you do and will always help you with the incredible work you continue to do for Guide Dogs. Regards, Liam Moore Included here is a photograph of Lyn holding a German shepherd puppy. Caption competition Puppy Carol, named after BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood (refer to Star news), was pictured being thoroughly distracted by her toy basket rather than the toys that were in it. Carol lives with her puppy raiser, Chris Willson. Included here is a photograph of yellow Labrador guide dog puppy Carol lying on the floor with her head inside her toy basket. 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 Rose Collier from Essex, with the caption “Pawsome news! It’s coming gnome!” Congratulations, Rose! Included here is a photograph of yellow Labrador guide dog puppy Cosmo sitting next to a garden gnome which is dressed in Arsenal FC’s colours. 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 29 February, 2024. In good company Players of People’s Postcode Lottery supported our buddy dog service last year and helped children and young people like 18-year-old Adam to flourish Aged three-and-a-half, Adam contracted meningitis and incurred a brain injury that impacted his optic nerve. It resulted in a 25% loss of sight and other health conditions, such as epilepsy. While Adam adapted well to his sight loss, his conditions significantly impacted his life, and he became more insular and isolated. His family then found out about our buddy dog service, which at the time was being funded through the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Guide Dogs introduced Adam and the family to Sam, a yellow Labrador/golden retriever cross. The bond between them was instantaneous! Sam became a huge source of companionship and support for Adam. In particular, when Adam had a health setback and was hospitalised in severe pain, Sam would rest his head on Adam to try to comfort him. Adam said: “Sam has changed my life for the better. When I was unwell, he helped by just being there for me and comforting me. Getting Sam is the best thing we’ve ever done.” Robbie Campbell, Buddy Dog Service Lead at Guide Dogs, commented: “The bond between Adam and Sam has been incredible from the start. Sam has really supported Adam through some difficult times, which has been great for his physical and mental wellbeing. Having Sam has brought a lot of laughter to family life.” Included here is a photograph of Adam on the beach with yellow Labrador buddy dog Sam. Also included here are two logos with the wording: Supported by players of PEOPLE’S POSTCODE LOTTERY Awarded funds from POSTCODE ANIMAL TRUST Welcome to our new partner, CVS veterinary group We’re delighted to have been chosen by CVS veterinary group as their new charity of the year partner! CVS is one of the largest veterinary service providers in the UK, with more than 8,500 employees across the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and Australia. In the UK and Ireland, there are approximately 500 practices, including 440 small animal practices, all of which are supporting Guide Dogs with a discount of up to 20% for our guide dog owners and volunteers. The CVS team is supporting Guide Dogs through colleague fundraising activities, customer donations, and raising awareness of the challenges of sight loss and the work we do to help people affected by vision impairments. We’re so grateful to CVS for choosing us and excited to work together to raise some vital funds! Promotions The following are three advertisements that are presented in different places in this issue of Forward. 1. CRAFT GIN Club Guide Dogs LOVE GIN? GET 60% OFF YOUR 1ST GIN BOX & WE’LL DONATE £25 TO GUIDE DOGS * Discover a 70cl bottle of surprise world-class gin * Shake up easy-to-make cocktails * Mix tonics and garnish for Perfect G&Ts * Explore our magazine full of distiller stories and recipes * Dive into mouth-watering snacks [4.83 out of 5 stars] REVIEWS.io HOW TO JOIN & DONATE WITH THE UK’S NO. 1 GIN CLUB 1 Scan the QR code on the standard version of the magazine or go to hello.craftginclub.co.uk/guidedogs/ 2 At checkout enter the code GUIDEDOGS60 3 Get 60% off your first subscription box and Craft Gin Club will donate £25 to Guide Dogs.* If using screen reader technology, to get the best experience when signing up, we recommend using a mobile device. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: For UK customers only. Not applicable to gift memberships, items in the shop or in conjunction with any other offers and discounts. Offer applies only to first gin box payment for new subscriptions. Any Your Gin of the Month subscription boxes outside of your first box will be charged at full price RRP £45. Offer runs from 16/10/2023 to 31/12/2023. The products shown in the advert in the standard print version of Forward are for illustrative purposes only. New customers only. Age 18+ only. For full terms and conditions, please visit www.craftginclub.co.uk/terms-and-conditions Included here is an illustrative photograph of the type of products that are typically contained within a Craft Gin Club gin box. 2. Guide Dogs Friends and Family Sighted Guide Training Free training Learn practical tips and techniques to guide your friend or family member with sight loss. This training is suitable for you if you support an adult with sight loss. Children aged 12 and over are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Sign up for your free training today at www.guidedogs.org.uk/friendsandfamily or call us on 0800 781 1444 Included here is a photograph of a guide dog owner with her black Labrador guide dog and her sighted guide inside a shopping centre. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity in England and Wales (209617), Scotland (SC038979) and Isle of Man (1334). 3. GIVEACAR CAR DONATION SERVICE DONATE YOUR CAR FAST | FREE | FOR CHARITY DONATE YOUR CAR IN 3 EASY STEPS STEP 1 Fill out our donation form on our website or call us to submit your details and choose a charity STEP 2 We’ll determine the best option for your vehicle and arrange free collection STEP 3 You’ll receive a receipt from us letting you know how much your car raised for your charity We offer free nationwide collection Free Collection | Any Car | Nationwide Contact us to find out more 0207 736 4242 www.giveacar.co.uk 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. Craft Gin Club Visit: hello.craftginclub.co.uk/guidedogs/ Visit: www.craftginclub.co.uk/terms-and-conditions Friends and Family Sighted Guide Training Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/friendsandfamily Call: 0800 781 1444 Christmas Wishes Concert Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/christmaswishes PAWS ON THE WHARF Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/PawsOnTheWharf Puppy School for Guide Dogs Visit: www.channel5.com and search for “Puppy School for Guide Dogs” A Dog Called Laura with Martin Clunes: The Secret World of Guide Dogs Visit: www.itv.com BBC Radio 4’s In Touch programme Visit: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds and search for “In Touch” The Journey of a Guide Dog series Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk and search for “Journey of a Guide Dog” Volunteering with our dogs Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteering “It’s a family affair” article – extended version Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/blog/its-a-family-affair Guiding Stars Call: 0800 953 0113 Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/guidingstars Workplace fundraising and Name a Puppy Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/nameapuppy A Day in the Life of… – Lucy’s role, short video, and other careers at Guide Dogs Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/blog/topic/careers-spotlight Guide Dogs’ pavement parking campaign Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/pavementparking Lived Experience Officers Email: campaigns@guidedogs.org.uk Call: 0800 781 1444 (ask for a Lived Experience Officer) Post: Lived Experience Officers, Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, 2nd Floor, Tavistock House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HR 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.