Our 4 year old grandson is partially sighted but behaves just like any toddler and is surpassing all expectations in what he is able to see. He was born 10 weeks premature and, as a result, has no sight in one eye and very limited sight in the other. He is the reason that we became puppy raisers for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB), now raising our foutrh puppy Genki. Although challenging at times (!), it has been one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable things we've ever done.

So far I've run Galway Resolution 5k Run, Shannon 8k, Connemara Half Marathon, Galway 5k Series (6 races), Birmingham Half Marathon, Garioch Half Marathon, Delphi Half Marathon, Portumna Half Marathon, Caltra 10k, Abbeyknockmoy Half Marathon, Kilkee Half Marathon, Streets of Galway 8k, Scottish Half Marathon, Fleetwood half marathon, Great North Run, Dublin Half Marathon, Loughrea 10k, Goulburn 10k (Australia) and Dublin Marathon . To come: Hollymount International Road Race (10k).and Three Lakes Half Marathon.

It costs over 50,000EUR to train a dog so any donation you can make will make a real difference. Depending on a dog's aptitude and temperament they can become a guide dog or an assistance dog for a child with autism - life changing for those involved. Of our previous puppies, Otter has become an assistance dog and Allannah has become a guide dog.