Sometimes you are given an opportunity in life that changes your future forever. For three of us that live with sight loss, that opportunity was being matched with our guide dogs.

Jo, Pete and Mandy have each lived with the frustration, isolation and exclusion that can come with being visually impaired. Many people take mobility for granted, but when you lose the confidence to get out and about on your own you lose vital social connections that affect your self confidence, self belief and self respect.

Thanks to the life changing charity Guide Dogs Jo, Pete and Mandy have had the support to challenge the obstacles restricting their mobility and now, with their guide dogs ever by their side,  have discovered that the future is an amazing place.

They now want to give someone else the oppportunity to find a new future and so the three of them (along with sighted guides Gemma, Lee and Debbie) are taking on a challenge to raise funds to name a guide dog puppy. They are planning to walk 30 miles of the Tarka Trail in Devon during June 2018 and are taking their fabulous guide dogs Bess, Thomas and Fable with them!

Oh, and of course they want to name the puppy "Tarka".

Although it might not seem far to many people, for Jo, Pete and Mandy (and our sighted guides) it is a hefty challenge and we hope you will support us in this new adventure!

To find out more about just how much their guide dogs mean to them,  please just take a few minutes to read on.........

Mandy and Fable:

"Dear Fable

Before you came into my life, I thought I was quite happy, or at least content. I made the best of it but I had no idea just how exciting, rewarding and amazing life could be. I always had the nagging feeling that my life wasn't as good as it could be and in hindsight I always felt slightly anxious and a bit resentful that I wasn't able to be independent and had to rely on other people - I couldn't just decide to go and visit my mum and dad, I had to rely on them coming to pick me up. I used to spend a lot of time indoors just waiting for someone to come and get me. Now I know just how restricted and small my world really was before I met you!

Now for the first time in my life I actually do feel independent. I now have choices! I can go out when I want, leave work when I want and not have to wait for a taxi that is always 45 minutes late. I even have a choice about the job I do, I no longer have to rule out opportunities that involve travelling. With you by my side I have faced my biggest challenge and achieved one of my goals; we went away for the weekend somewhere new on our own. We stayed in a hotel, we went on walks,  we nailed it!  Fabes, I couldn't have done this without you my clever girl!

I don't think words can really express how much you have changed my life; for the first time I actually feel that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I am meant to be doing, and I owe it all to you.

You have brought so many awe inspiring people and dogs into my life and I am so grateful for all of the opportunities you have given me.

So Fabes, what more can I say except thank you! You really are my little life changer and a Fable in your own right"

Jo and Bess

"To Bess

I'm not quite sure you realise the impact that you have had on my life and I know you won't ever read this but I just wanna say.....

You are the reason my cream carpet is not so much, why there are tumble weeds of fluff bouncing down my stairs and why every item of my clothing has a layer of hair.

You are the reason I get out of bed every morning, even when I am having a "sad" day or a bad eye day. Your nagging for breakfast makes sure that a lie in is a thing of the past.

You are the reason why the bathroom cupboard has more dog shampoo and products than anything else, why I know the difference between eau de fox and badger.

You are the reason I no longer spend my money on 4 inch heels, you walk too quick!

You are the reason I can now talk in meetings in work, have the confidence to challenge inequality, talk to people!

You are the reason I smile everyday. Your mischief, stubborn attitude and utter glee at a new day that seems to infect your every fibre makes me giggle.

You are the reason I have got out and met amazing people, made some life long freinds, explored my local surroundings and beyond.

You are the reason I am embarking on my latest venture. Picture perfect as you are.

But mostly, my sweet girl... you are my reason."

Pete and Thomas

"I'm afraid that I can't wax lyrical like Mandy and Jo,  but here is a quick list of what Thomas has given me:

1. More than I could ever have imagined.
   

I guess there isn't much more to say really?"

Guide Dogs

Almost two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that has a significant impact on their daily lives. Of those, around 180,000 rarely leave their homes alone and lead lonely, isolated lives. Guide Dogs works for a world where people with sight loss are never left out of life, for a world where being blind or partially sighted is not what defines you. A world with enough support to make the challenges of sight loss no barrier to fulfilling hopes and dreams.