Being blind. What a downer. So many delicious things to do in life -- going out for vodka tonics, pilates class, long walks in the wood, yet each of them so immensely harder because whatever you do is the equivalent of closing your eyes and crossing six lanes of moving traffic.

As a result, 200, 000 British blind people never leave their house on their own.  Think of the wasted drinkies! Flabby abs! And loneliness.

The solution? An guide dog to accompany someone every day, so they can get on with doing whatsoever their heart desires.

But they cost money. 30, 000 pounds over 10 years to be precise.

So, on 16 September I found myself huffin' and puffin' for 13 miles around the hills of Newcastle on the Great North Run 

I was one of those people in lycra chugging on gatorade, along with the ladies dressed as daffodils,

At the Guide Dog tent afterwards there was a collection of retired working dogs. Each one (and I don't think I am imagining this) seemed exceptionally observant, tracking everything that was going on with their eyes, staying close to their companions, sensitive, even anxious to any change in the crowd. It was easy to see why having a friend like that each day, literally looking out for you, could make such a difference. 

Guide Dogs receive *no* government funding, or grants. Every penny comes from people like you. Please dig deep.

Friends have already been so generous; together we can all feel very good that we have together bought a training puppy's paw, and maybe a tail too :)

Thank you.