We are fundraising for Guide Dog Charity because we have, as a family felt the shock and anguish of a family member losing their sight and how tough that is to overcome both psychically and mentally.

Our personal involvement with Guide Dogs started when my wonderful Aunt, fun loving and pillar of our family lost her sight. The emotional struggle, as well as the physical obstacles that she and other visually impaired people face on a daily basis is heart wrenching to witness and frustrating to aid....... No words can describe that pain.

So we became part of the Guide dog community of amazing people, volunteers, paid staff, Guide Dog Owners themselves and of course the fabulous puppies. Witnessing first hand the incredible difference and work that enables Guide dog partnerships to change lives, not only of the Owners but their families also. The journey from birth to a working dog has many stages and a massive amount of commitment and compassion behind every working pup.

When Guide dogs receive a donation it's not just giving money it's giving hope, independence, the chance to live freely making their own choices and in many cases giving respite time out for families too.

It is hard to put into words how important the charity is but hopefully reading Vicky s story it will help you, help us in supporting Guide dogs.

Vicky and Courtney aka Blondie Paws.
Vicky was just 19 when she became a Guide dog owner for the first time. Suffering from E.D.S. Since early childhood, her life and that of her family s has been increasingly life limiting and with her sight affected too Vicky was eligible for a Guide dog. We puppy walked Courtney which was a joy and privilege, She is a conscientious, gentle and obedient pup who first qualified with Guide dogs as a mum. Fate thankfully intervened and her matching with Vicky came at just the right time. A wonderful new partnership. Vicky s excitement was tangible, now independent, free to do and go wherever she wanted no family ties or restrictions just her and Blondie Paws guiding and supporting her. The duo are now out there fundraising, studying and living independently. For the first time Vicky could travel to meet friends, shop, leave her home town, go places She wished to go without having to drag mum along for support. Trips to London with other Guide dog owner friends became possible and hotel overnight stays fun, all because of a dog.........
E.D.S is a crippling health issue and at times leaves Vicky fatigued and in terrible pain, the bond was immediate and Blondie Paws soon became aware of the support and calm that Vicky needed when an E D S attack was happening, Courtney alerts family and lays with Vicky until it is safe for her to move. Such dedication and sense of protection is incredibly emotive to witness, nothing can describe that bond and no words can tell how immensely proud we are of this humbling partnership.

We give our time, money and commitment to the first stages of a puppies life journey but we receive so much more than money when we witness some of 'our pups" working alongside their owners. Poppy allows her owner Nicola to carry out daily tasks and hobbies without relying on family to take her places, weekly visits to the gym, fund raising groups, shopping are amongst the everyday duties she undertakes and allows this freedom. Beau, has taken her owner to work in busy London on tubes and visits abroad, She also provided a loving gentle companionship to her owner when the Lady s husband died. Not only did Beau give comfort but enabled her owner to continue living alone and independent of family. These are just a few of our life changer stories and there are hundreds of other volunteers making these moments possible.

To continue supporting and making these amazing partnerships Guide dogs need donations, every penny or pound goes towards training, health bills, food and equipment for their entire working life, making it possible for every Visually impaired person to have an equal opportunity to have this support. Without Guide dogs tireless work, thousands of people with sight loss would be left isolated and dependant on family or friends, without choice or a sense of worth.

So while we put our trust in a bit of rope, a harness and step into mid air, 100 metres high off of the Spinnaker Tower, on a hopefully dry and not too windy August afternoon, we hope we have inspired you to donate a penny or pound to allow Visually impaired people the chance to be free and put their trust in a dog........ Overcoming new challenges, becoming part of an amazing partnership which empowers them to walk alongside us all, live freely in their local community, independently with their trusty paw friend and because of you.
Thank you,
Jacki, Lottie and James x

We have set the amount to be raised at £2,500 as this amount would enable a pup to be named....... if we are lucky enough to raise this amount we would very much like to put everyone’s name into a hat and the person who is pulled out will be asked to name a pup in honour of someone in their lives ..... so everyone gets an equal chance to name a pup whether donating a penny or a pound..... and knowing another life changer can start its journey in honour of someone special to you ... if the amount is raised by August 11th we will pull the name straight after the abseil.... thank you in advance x