Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I'm raising money for Guide Dogs in celebration of 4 fantastic years of mobility and independence with my guide dog Hannah. She has made a huge difference to my life so I have set myself the ambitious target of raising £100,000 for guide dogs so that I can help others who like me, have lost their sight.

Thank you so much for everyone who has contributed so far, I'm extremely grateful. Because of your support, together we have named 17 puppies, setting them off on their journey to become incredible guide dogs for other people affected by sight loss.

My Story:

I have the eye condition, Glaucoma, which was first diagnosed 20 years ago. At first my eye condition did not cause me many problems and I was able to continue my job as a Physical Education teacher in West Sussex but my life changed in 2008 when I was registered blind/partially sighted. Not being able to drive meant my job was untenable as I couldn't take the school teams to and from matches in the minibus.

Before teaching I was a professional football player and had a good football career representing my country at every level; schoolboy, youth, intermediate (under 23) and finally achieving full England Honours. I played for many top teams, including Burnley, Everton, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, QPR and Wolverhampton, as well as playing in the North American soccer league for Vancouver Whitecaps.

After losing my sight I had three operations but unfortunately there they made no improvement to my vision.  Although I still enjoyed golf, fly fishing, carriage driving and gardening, I had to rely on family and friends to take me out. At first, I didn't think I needed a guide dog, I guess I was in denial about how much my sight had deteriorated. However, a bad experience at Epsom races changed my attitude. It was supposed to be a fun day out with the family but the huge crowds made me really anxious. We ended up leaving early because I couldn't cope and thought I was going to walk into everyone. For weeks afterwards, I felt low and socially I didn't feel comfortable.

I admitted to myself that I needed some help, and after a chat with Brenda we decided to contact Guide Dogs. The support I received
during the application process alone made a huge difference. While waiting on a guide dog I received long cane training which helped me recover my independence and taught me numerous skills to enable me to get out and about safely despite my loss of vision.  I am hugely grateful to the Newcastle Guide Dogs team who helped me to accept my sight loss and who gave me the skills and confidence to get out and about again and live life without limits.

In 2016 I was matched to my guide dog Hannah, a yellow Labrador,
and we bonded immediately! Hannah has made an incredible difference to my life. Since qualifying she has enabled me to travel across the country to visit friends and family, and to various fundraising events for Guide Dogs. She has even helped me navigate the busy streets of London, which was unimaginable before. I've written a book about my life and experience of sight loss, and
became a fundraising volunteer and speaker for Guide Dogs to raise awareness of their work and to help other people who have lost their sight. Sight loss has been life changing, but so is Hannah!

A huge thank you for all your kind support. I've been completely overwhelmed by the response to my fundraising, from friends, family,
past pupils and football fans, since I started fundraising for Guide Dogs.

Thank you so much and please do continue the phenomenal support for such a well-deserved charity.

Many thanks.

David Thomas