The official Guide Dogs magazine

Spring 2014

Guide Dogs Annual Awards An inspiring celebration Guide Dogs and technology News of a cutting edge project

Canine catwalk Guide Dogs Week 2013 – our best yet

Also inside: • Guide Dogs in the media • A day in the life of a volunteer driver • My Guide in the metropolis

• Meet Guide Dogs’ new Director of Mobility Services • And much more…

Contents

Share an amazing adventure - from just £1 a week. Why not sponsor an adorable guide dog puppy as they train to change the life of a person who is blind or partially sighted. You’ll follow their amazing journey every step of the way with regular photos and updates. So why wait?

Regulars 05 Welcome 06 News • Campaigns success earns awards • A unique project with young offenders in Scotland 10 View from the top An exciting future with Guide Dogs’ CEO 21 A day in the life of… Volunteer driver Terry Cane

 12   Features  14  

29 What’s on? Introducing Dogs Unite!, a new look for Go Walkies 46 Letters and caption competition

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Text ‘GUIDE’ to 63333 or visit www.sponsorapuppy.org.uk

30 Thank you to our supporters 33 In memory

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34 We’ll never forget 38 New partnerships

Here’s what you’ll receive

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Please recycle this magazine

19 Buddy dogs go the extra mile Canine friends are changing children’s lives

12 We really Stood Out for Guide Dogs The highlights from an incredible Guide Dogs Week

20 A holiday that helps Guide Dogs A relaxing way to support us

14 Pleased to meet you Introducing new Director of Mobility Services, Steve Vaid

People and dogs

You can sponsor a puppy right now.

11 Guide Dogs in the media The best of our TV, radio and print coverage

15 On the campaign trail A round-up of campaigning wins in 2013 16 Guide Dogs and technology Cutting edge technology will open up our world 18 My Guide in the metropolis Sighted guide volunteers are making a difference

22 A gift that’s full of life How leaving a lasting legacy can transform a life 24 Guide Dogs Annual Awards 2013 And the winners are… 27 The generation game How each guide dog parent touches so many lives 28 Climb every mountain Meet a guide dog owner who’s reaching new heights

A charity registered in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979). 6044 09/13

Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

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Welcome

Editor’s welcome

Helping change the lives of blind and partially sighted people has never been more fun!

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So much has happened since the last edition of Forward. In October, with your help, we had our most successful Guide Dogs Week ever. Thousands of you took part in hundreds of events, helping us raise awareness of the everyday challenges faced by people who are blind or partially sighted, and bringing in hundreds of thousands of pounds to help us continue our lifechanging work. You can read about some of the highlights on page 12.

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Enter our Lucky Lottery now and you could win up to £3,000. Each entry costs just £1. Call: 0800 688 8406 www.guidedogs.org.uk/luckylottery Not to be sold to or by any person under 16 years of age. Licensed by the Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act 2005, www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk, Licence number 4946. Entries are restricted to residents of England, Scotland and Wales. Registered society: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Contact: Jayne George, Guide Dogs, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 3YG. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (291646) and a charity registered in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979). All profits from the lottery will be used to fund the work of Guide Dogs. If you feel you have a problem with gambling, please visit our website for help and advice at www.guidedogs.org.uk/gamcare or contact the GamCare National Helpline on 0845 6000 133.

and moving occasion which really demonstrated the incredible hard work of our volunteers, the determination of guide dog owners and the amazing support Guide Dogs receives from individuals and organisations across the UK. Find out who the winners were on page 24. And don’t miss the feature about the groundbreaking work Guide Dogs is doing with Microsoft and other companies to make the world a more accessible place for us all – it’s very exciting!

In December we held the Guide Dogs Annual Awards in the glamorous surroundings We hope you like Forward of the London Hilton Park in its new A4 format, which Lane. It was a wonderful we’ve introduced following

Editor: Tracey Gurr Editorial Line: 0118 983 8811 Contributors: James Kell, Lucy Llewelyn, Hannah Vickers, Rachael Smith, Caoilfhionn Lee Designed by: Guide Dogs guidedogs.org.uk Contributions: Send items to Forward at the Head Office address or email [email protected]. Unfortunately, due to the sheer volume of ideas we receive, we cannot acknowledge every item. We reserve the right to edit or refuse. Forward is available in Braille, large print, audio CD and online as audio and text files. It is also available as a PDF from our website and in a

range of languages – for this and mailing enquiries call 0118 983 8138. Founding Editor: The late Captain Nikolai Liakhoff MBE FRZS Registered Head Office: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG Tel: 0118 983 5555 Fax: 0118 983 5433 www.guidedogs.org.uk Email: [email protected] © 2010 Registered charity in England and Wales (209617) and in Scotland (SC038979) Cover: Amber Le Bon on the canine catwalk Photo: Gretel Ensignia

the results of our 2012 reader survey. We’re now looking at the results of the 2013 survey – thank you to everyone who responded to it. Early findings are showing us that you would like to read more about how guide dogs are trained, and about our work with children and young people, so we will definitely bring you more features on those topics in forthcoming editions. I hope 2014 has got off to a great start for you. Best wishes Tracey Gurr

Full colour advertising is available in Forward. For information on rates, publication dates and circulation, please call 0845 372 7330 or email forwardadvertising@ guidedogs.org.uk. Terms and conditions apply. Any products or services advertised in Forward by third parties are not in any way endorsed by Guide Dogs and Guide Dogs shall not be responsible for the accuracy of any information contained in such advertisements nor has it investigated or verified any of the information.

Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

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News

News Contents

The pride of Northumberland

Campaigns Team scoop awards

Three dedicated Guide Dogs volunteers have been honoured in the Pride of Northumberland Awards. Guide dog owner Tricia Rescigno was named ‘role model of the year’ for raising awareness of sight loss in the community, fundraising and involvement in the life of her home town, Morpeth. Alan Stothart was shortlisted for the ‘community champion’ award, thanks to a whole range of roles he has taken on, including maintenance assistant to the Newcastle Mobility Team, guide dog boarder and exerciser, and fundraiser. Finally, 18-year-old Charlotte Stephenson was shortlisted for the ‘child of achievement’ award. She has been fundraising for Guide Dogs for two years and, having recently qualified with her first guide dog, she’s now a passionate advocate for Guide Dogs.

The success of our Safe and Sound campaign shows just how effective our campaigns can be in ensuring that people with sight loss have their freedom and independence. Guide Dogs’ Campaigns Team works extremely hard alongside people who are blind and partially sighted and their efforts were recently recognised when they scooped two prestigious awards at the Public Affairs News Awards.

Will 2014 be a ‘safe and sound’ year? It has been an exceptionally busy end to 2013 for our Safe and Sound campaign on quiet vehicles. All year we’ve been campaigning for the installation of mandatory sound generators on quiet electric and hybrid vehicles – to help pedestrians who can’t see a car coming still know when it’s safe to cross a road. We held a parliamentary reception to raise awareness, worked with key decision makers to influence European level discussions, and MPs even debated the issue in Westminster!

These were Best Party Conference Stand – our crazy golf course, highlighting the problem of street clutter, was judged to be exciting, innovative and good value for money; and In-House Team of the Year – recognising a team which has had an outstanding year in influencing public policy. Thank you to everyone who’s helped make this such a successful year for our campaigns.

We are indebted to all those supporters who’ve helped the campaign by taking action online at: guidedogs.org.uk/safeandsound. We’re delighted it has now been agreed that all electric and hybrid vehicles will be fitted with mandatory sound generators from 2019 – a huge step forward from this time last year, when there were no plans for mandatory sound technology. Visit our website for more information on how you can help.

Phyllis Burden and her guide dog Tyler are part of a unique training programme taking place at the Polmont Young Offenders Institute in Scotland. ‘Paws for Progress’ is the UK’s first and only prison-based dog training programme, in which young offenders are taught how to train and care for rescue dogs. The programme has had a significant impact on the young men, helping them to make positive changes for the future. Contributing to their changing attitudes are volunteers such as Phyllis, who talk to them about the difference a dog has made to their lives. Inspired by its impact, Phyllis is now part of a steering group that hopes to set up a social enterprise to deliver similar projects in a range of community settings. Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

BBC Radio’s ‘The Listening Project’ is capturing the nation in conversation to build a unique picture of our lives today. Those conversations include one between guide dog owners Al Winton and Dave Heal, who talk about coping when their guide dog comes to retirement. So inspired was one listener by their moving description of what each guide dog means to them, that she donated money she had raised at work to Guide Dogs. To listen to Al and Dave’s conversation, visit bbc.co.uk/ programmes/b03g0936

Guide Dogs funds potential research breakthrough Research funded by Guide Dogs could lead to a breakthrough drug for treating major causes of blindness. Experts at Manchester University have been looking at ways to develop a drug, based on a substance called opticin which occurs naturally in the eye. If the drug works it could potentially preserve any remaining vision people have and lead to less invasive eye treatments.

Paws for Progress in Scotland

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An inspiring conversation

A match made in Pontypool Pontypool RFC has chosen Guide Dogs Cymru as its charity of the season for 2013/14. It’s a perfect match as both organisations have strong roots in the local community. Many guide dog owners are avid rugby fans who love the match day buzz. Among them is Christian Hyde, a former player and referee, who lost his sight through diabetes. “People ask me how I can see the game and I tell them ‘I can’t!’ – but I know what’s going on before the players do.” The club hopes to raise enough to name a guide dog puppy and will invite fans to choose the name. Pontypool RFC captain Luke Dyckhoff, Christian Hyde and guide dog Sasha and Steve Kersley, Volunteer Development Co-Ordinator for Guide Dogs Cymru Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

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News

News Getting active with Guide Dogs NI

Aberdeen Ball spectacular For a second successive year, the Aberdeen fundraising group have staged the spectacular Aberdeen Ball, raising just under £30,000. Local guide dog owner Mary Rasmussen addressed the 200 guests and spoke about her experiences of being a guide dog owner. “We had great fun but it was all for a serious cause,” said Bill Duguid, chair of the Ball committee. “The generous guests have made a vital contribution to the lives of guide dog owners like Mary.” A free pass for puppy walker Chalkwell Bus Company, in Kent, has given a free bus pass to puppy walker Vanessa Johnson as part of its bid to support local charities. Vanessa asked for the pass to help her young guide dog puppies gain confidence in travelling by bus. Mobility Services Support Worker Sue Philippe said: “The help we receive from transport companies and other service providers in allowing puppy walkers access with their puppies is hugely appreciated and vital in the development of our young dogs.”

Best friends Conor and Kassie on TV 21-year-old Conor Thompson, from Crumlin, Northern Ireland, and his best friend, buddy dog Kassie, were recently featured on Ulster TV’s The Magazine. His parents spoke about the difference that Kassie’s arrival has made to the whole family. Living with autism as well as sight loss, Conor had become increasingly withdrawn. Thanks to Kassie, he has now grown in confidence and become more involved in family life.

A very welcome surprise! We are always looking for support from local businesses, for example to sponsor a puppy training class or venue. Their generosity still has the power to surprise us though. Gary Heginbottom, Director of Artisan Fireplace Design Ltd, recently offered to sponsor puppy classes held in Brighouse, West Yorkshire. “I waited to hear how many classes he would sponsor,” explains Puppy Training Supervisor Nic Morgan, “thinking maybe six months, but he said forever! What a guy!”

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Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

Touch and go Guide Dogs has been involved in the creation of a three dimensional map of the route from South Kensington Station to Hyde Park. The map has been unveiled to help people with sight loss find their way down one of London’s busiest streets. It is the result of extensive work with a specialist tactile design team, Guide Dogs and various consultation groups. We hope that other local authorities will now follow their lead.

Guide Dogs’ Belfast Mobility Team has launched a new partnership with events organisation ‘parkrun’ to enable people who are blind or partially sighted to get active. George Foster being guided by Gary Moore

parkrun organise free, weekly runs across the UK, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to take part. The Belfast team is working with them to train volunteers as sighted

guides at locations across Northern Ireland. There’s also scope for the volunteers to be trained as running guides, giving people with sight loss the support they need to take part. Engagement Manager Andrew Murdock says: “This is going to provide better opportunities for people with sight loss to exercise within their local community. And for young people, it’s also a great way to improve movement, spatial awareness and confidence.”

In brief

Books for all Everyone should be able to enjoy reading their favourite books. NBCS’s CustomEyes popular fiction and non-fiction titles are tailor-made in suitable formats for blind and partially sighted children and young people up to age 25. Please call 0118 983 8346, email [email protected] or visit nbcs.org.uk/customeyes

Pascoe gives Linda his support Like every other puppy Linda Myatt has walked, Pascoe sits quietly at the Leeds Blood Donor Clinic every two weeks while Linda donates platelets. Staff love to see Pascoe and it’s good for his socialisation training too.

Fisherman’s tale Congratulations to guide dog owner David Young, who beat off stiff competition to win the Jack Charlton Disabled Anglers Cup at Kielder Water. His winning catch of rainbow trout weighed in at 14lb 3oz.

A ferry tiring trip for Lily

Wedding belle

When Lynn Captain Alistair Leverett got McCarlie of the married last Stenaline Belfast/ October, one of Cairnryan ferry her bridesmaids kindly invited was guide dog Northern Ireland Omega. Lynn pup Lily, walked says: “With by Heather hindsight, having Gilmore, to the a beautiful ship’s bridge to guide dog as meet his crew. a bridesmaid Lily smiled for was a duff idea, the camera, because no then promptly one noticed fell asleep! the wrinkly old bride!”. We’re sure that’s not true, Lynn!

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View from the top

Guide Dogs in the media

View from the top One of the things I enjoy most about being Guide Dogs’ CEO is the number of amazing stories I hear. This year’s Guide Dogs Annual Awards featured some of the most heartwarming I’ve ever heard – about our incredibly committed volunteers; about people who are campaigning with us to break down the barriers that prevent people with sight loss getting around; about inspirational guide dog owners – and, of course, the brilliant dogs they’re partnered with.

Chief Executive Richard Leaman shares his views

It’s great to have a special evening to celebrate some of our stories – our audience of supporters and celebrities were all very moved by those they heard. But what I find most extraordinary is that we generate more stories every single day. In 2013, we created 840 guide dog partnerships – each one with a story behind it. We also created over 800 partnerships through My Guide, our service which matches volunteers to blind and partially sighted people who want to increase their confidence in getting out and about. That’s 800 more stories of people living the lives they want to live, and it doesn’t include the 11,000 times our My Guide volunteers have been able to offer an arm to a person with sight loss, as a one-off event. As we continue to train thousands more ‘My Guides’, we’ll really start to tackle the fears people have around sight loss and to create a society that understands, and addresses, the needs of people who are blind or partially sighted. We’re also working with hundreds of children whose stories are just beginning. Last year alone we worked with around 700 children and young people, and that number is set to increase now that the National Blind

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Children’s Society is part of the Guide Dogs family. And before these children are too much older, we hope the cutting-edge work on technology we’re doing with Microsoft and other major organisations will have made the world a more accessible place for people who are blind or partially sighted to move around in. Some of our stories are hardhitting – they have to be, to get the attention of those in authority – and, in terms of campaigning, 2013 was a huge success. In April, the government announced that microchipping all dogs in England will be compulsory by April 2016 – a year sooner in Wales. The government also revealed that dog attacks on assistance dogs will be treated as a much more serious offence, and, as you’ll have read in the news pages, EU decision makers took further steps towards the mandatory installation of artificial sound generators in quiet vehicles, thanks to over 20,000 emails from supporters of our Safe and Sound campaign. The story of Guide Dogs stretches back over 80 years, during which time we’ve transformed many thousands of lives. I am convinced that the most exciting chapters of the story are yet to come – I hope you’ll help us write them.

Guide Dogs in the media  TV, radio and the print media are all vital in raising awareness of Guide Dogs and our life-changing work. Here are some of our recent highlights from what have been a very busy few months. Guide Dogs Week 2013 We started our biggest ever media campaign in September with the launch of Guide Dogs Week 2013 (and turn to pages 12 -13 for some amazing photos of what went on). This included the canine catwalk, which featured in national papers including The Daily Telegraph and The Times and the Four Legs Tour, which was featured across many local papers.

Guide dog owners denied access Guide dog owners are still being denied access to shops, restaurants and taxis. This story was picked up by national radio stations such as Sky News Sunrise and BBC Radio Scotland, newspapers such as the Daily Mirror and The Sun and important industry title Taxi Newspaper, as well as more than 50 local newspapers and radio station websites.

Pavement perils

Channel 4 Dogs: Their Secret Lives Guide Dogs featured in a prime-time Channel Four documentary looking at how dogs behave when they are alone and how they have coped with the changes in human lifestyles over the last 50 years. The crew visited Guide Dogs’ National Breeding Centre to learn about our breeding programme, and presenter and TV vet Marc Evans spoke with a number of staff about how they ensure the quality of our lifechanging future guide dogs.

BBC Midlands Today The regional news programme has started a long-running series of stories following the journey of a guide dog puppy, Zeus, from puppy walking through training and being matched with a client. In the first episode, viewers saw the National Breeding Centre and met young guide dog owner Amy Kettle and first time volunteer puppy walker Simon Earp.

Hello!

In the 2 December edition of HELLO! Magazine, Model Amber Le Bon spoke of the “wonderful experience” she had when she took part in our canine catwalk as part of Guide Dogs Week.

Poorly maintained pavements hit the headlines with newspapers such as The Daily Telegraph and Metro picking up on a survey commissioned by Guide Dogs that found that two out of five people with sight loss are reluctant to leave their home for fear of tripping. Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

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Guide Dogs Week

Guide Dogs Week

Well, what a week. From firewalking, football and fashion shows to collections, cocktails and castles – Guide Dogs Week 2013 was a spectacular success. A huge thank you to everyone who got behind our theme – Stand Out for Guide Dogs – promoting awareness of our life-changing work and raising money to help us continue it. We’ve rounded up some of the highlights for you. Amidst all the glamour, fun and excitement of Guide Dogs Week, we also got across some hard-hitting messages about the daily challenges people who are blind and partially sighted face every day. From access to restaurants and shops to perils on the pavement, Guide Dogs Week really helped us tackle some important issues for people with sight loss. And, of course, it also helped bring in much-needed funds to help us continue our life-changing work. From major national activities to local ‘Let’s Glow’ events, with your help we raised hundreds of thousands of pounds. Next year’s is going to be even better – please put the date in your diary: 4-12 October 2014.

We really

What better way to launch our Guide Dogs Week campaign than lighting up the EDF London Eye in yellow – the colour of our iconic guide dog harness?

Stood Out

The bold and the brave There seemed no limits to what people were prepared to do to Stand Out for Guide Dogs.

76-year-old guide dog owner Harold Smith zipwired across the Manchester Canal (centre).

Ian Baxter-Crawford from Belfast Mobility Team joined 40 others in an amazing firewalking event (above left).

Along with our illustrious cover star, model Amber Le Bon, glamorous guide dog owners graced our canine catwalk across London’s Millennium Bridge (above right).

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The launch Look who hitched a ride! (Above left). 120 people took part in our Stand Out Go Walkies along the Thames (above right).

for Guide Dogs

The Four Legs Tour The intrepid guide dog owners who made up Team GD visited famous places across the UK, as part of the Four Legs Tour. Staff and volunteers Stood Out for Guide Dogs at Brighton Pavilion (above left).

Nigel Dunt and Denby conquered Snowdon together (above right). Sage the guide dog found himself surrounded by Cats in Glasgow (the cast of the stage show, that is) at King’s Theatre, Glasgow.

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Pleased to meet you

Campaigns Steve was so inspired by working with blind and partially sighted people in Rwanda that, after a year, he applied for the post of Director of Operations with Action for Blind People back in the UK. Whilst there, he got to know Guide Dogs very well as the two charities often work together.

Pleased to meet you Our new Director of Mobility Services, Steve Vaid, came to us via oil rigs in Aberdeen and villages in Rwanda. He shares some highlights of his journey and his hopes for Guide Dogs. It’s fair to say that Steve’s career path hasn’t exactly been traditional. Originally from Coventry, he did an apprenticeship with Shell, spending time on Scottish oil rigs, before graduating as an electrical engineer. He then joined multinational company Price Waterhouse as a project management specialist. After several years working in countries as diverse as Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Ireland, Steve found himself in the unenviable position of having to make 4,500 people redundant. “It was a real turning point,” says Steve. “I thought, ‘do I carry on with this, or should I do something which makes a positive impact on people’s lives?’ I was already volunteering with SeeAbility, the charity for people with sight loss and multiple disabilities; I could see the difference that made and I decided working for charities was the way forward for me.” Following posts with the Design and Artists’ Copyright Society and King’s College Students’ Union, in 2009 Steve and his wife Kristenne applied to do Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). They soon found themselves in Rwanda, living in a local community on £5 per day and experiencing frequent water shortages and power cuts.

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“It was hard but inspiring,” Steve recalls. “We worked with people who had many different disabilities, including sight loss. I spent time with the Rwanda Union for the Blind and we taught visually impaired children to play cricket. We brought the England blind cricket team over and children came out of local schools to watch – it really brought the community together.”

“The more I found out about the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted,” says Steve, “the more I realised how much comes back to freedom of movement. Whether you’re talking about employment, leisure or education it all comes back to being able to get out and about on your own terms. Obviously independent mobility is at the heart of Guide Dogs’ work, so I jumped at the chance to become Director of Mobility Services.”

So, having been here for six months, what has Steve discovered about Guide Dogs? “It’s an incredible organisation,” he says, “with a brilliant vision, an amazing heritage and people who go the extra mile every single day. I’m passionate about bringing all our services together to reach thousands more people who are blind or partially sighted. “From my experience in Rwanda I know how vital it is to support young people with sight loss in particular, so I’m especially enthusiastic about our growing work with children. I feel very lucky because I don’t think I could have joined Guide Dogs at a more exciting time.”

On the campaign trail Guide Dogs campaigns on issues affecting the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted. 2013 was our most successful year yet and will really make a difference to people with sight loss.

The lighter side We asked Steve What’s on your ipod? ACDC, 90s dance and Bollywood film music! What’s the last film you saw? Peppa Pig (with Alf, our two-year-old son) Real ale or single malt? Real ale – I’m from Warwickshire Football or cricket? Cricket – ditto! If you were a dog, what breed would you be? A jack russell because of their terrier spirit – they don’t let go, they’re friendly, and we have one called Tuppy.

Safe and Sound

Talking buses

Streets Ahead

November saw the final EU negotiations about quiet vehicles – which can be very dangerous if you have sight loss. After receiving more than 20,000 emails from supporters of our Safe and Sound campaign, decisionmakers agreed on the mandatory installation of artificial sound generators in new vehicles from 2019.

We don’t want buses to be too quiet either! We want them to talk to passengers, giving information everyone can hear. After receiving evidence from Guide Dogs, a committee of influential MPs agreed Talking Buses would make travel easier for everyone. Now we just need to convince the Government!

138 MPs visited our award-winning ‘Street Clutter Crazy Golf’ stand at this year’s party conferences. The Campaigns Team dressed as golfers and invited attendees to avoid obstacles made up of common items of street clutter, such as shop advertising boards, to promote our calls for clearer streets.

Dog attacks The best news we received all year came in April when the Government announced proposals to treat dog attacks on assistance dogs as a more serious offence. We hope this will become law in early 2014.

Nick Clegg meets members of the Campaigns Team Help us make 2014 even better! Email [email protected], call us on 0800 0284 348, follow us on twitter @gdcampaigns or visit guidedogs.org.uk/campaigns Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

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Guide Dogs and technology

Guide Dogs and technology Children and technology

Guide Dogs and Microsoft

For many children with a visual impairment, technology can be a lifeline. Using specific equipment and software, children can access the same technology as their sighted peers, such as tablet computers, smart phones and even adapted bicycles.

– working together to open up our world Imagine a world where everyone, including people with sight loss, can make safe, enjoyable journeys across our towns and cities whenever they want to, getting up-to-the-minute information as they travel. Guide Dogs is now working with Microsoft and other household names to make this a reality. The internet and other forms of technology have transformed the world for all of us, including those who are blind or partially sighted. But what else could technology do to support people with sight loss to get around on their own terms? Guide Dogs is working with Microsoft and with many other big name companies – Tesco and Network Rail to name just two – to develop and install technology which will make the world a more accessible place. A Family Day Out In 2012, we made ‘A Family Day Out’, a short film showing how future technology could greatly enhance journeys for people with sight loss, within two to five years from now. You can watch it on our website: guidedogs.org.uk/ makeithappen Using the experiences shown in the Family Day Out film, we’re now developing the Family Day Out Programme (FDOP) – a much bigger and very exciting project. The journey Our aim is to bring alive the ideas shown in ‘A Family Day Out’ through a real-life journey taken by a blind or partially sighted person, from Reading in Berkshire to London and back. The journey will involve taking different forms of public transport, using shops, boarding buses and trains, and visiting a popular attraction.

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A world open to all The Family Day Out Programme is helping create an environment which everyone can easily navigate their way around. Indoors and outdoors, on public transport and in shops, entertainment venues and public buildings, it will make a positive difference to everybody – whoever they are, and whatever disability they may have. The technology won’t take the place of a visually impaired person’s main mobility aid – be that a guide dog, sighted guide or long cane. What it will do is enable people with sight loss to pick up the same information as everyone else from the environment they’re in, greatly enhancing their experience and enjoyment when out and about.

At every stage of the journey, the traveller will use personalised technology to make the experience as simple, pleasurable and interesting as possible, increasing their confidence and wellbeing, and reducing anxiety. The technology will partly consist of a headset and hand-held device, which will pick up information from the environment. For instance, if the person walks by a coffee shop in the station, the device can potentially give information about the shop if the person wants it to; it will also provide information about delays to trains. The journey will take place in two phases during 2014 – we’ll keep you posted on it in Forward. We’re working with a long list of major organisations on the Family Day Out Programme. As well as Microsoft, we have a partnership with Future Cities Catapult, one of seven centres sponsored by the UK government to enable businesses and researchers to work together to bring new products and services into the commercial world more quickly. Others include: Tesco

Satellite Applications Catapult

Network Rail

Greater London Authority

ARUP

Berkshire County Blind Society

Virgin Media

Peter Brett Associates

Open University

Reading Borough Council

University College London

Helen Hamlyn Institute

First Great Western All these organisations hold a piece of the jigsaw; only by working together can we deliver a complete solution to solve the mobility puzzle.

The Access Technology Service run by the National Blind Children’s Society helps children and their families make the most of what’s available, providing tailored information and advice to parents, schools and other professional agencies about the benefits of technology. Even for a very young child, technology can make a big difference, so the National Blind Children’s Society works with children from birth. The service continues with young people up to age 25, helping ensure they have the same education and employment opportunities as everyone else. The service also runs a grants programme to help parents buy specialist technology or sensory equipment.

For more information, please call 0118 983 8329 or email [email protected]

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My Guide

Buddy Dogs

My Guide in the metropolis Put together a 35-year-old IT worker and a 70-year-old piano teacher with sight loss and what do you get? A very fruitful and life-changing My Guide partnership.

Sunethra and Daniel made the most of their weekly outings, visiting places such as London’s Guildhall, where they took an audio descriptive tour. Daniel also helped Sunethra increase her walking speed, so she and Beau can work together more comfortably. Sunethra describes Daniel as “really lovely and wonderful as a guide, falling into step naturally”.

Sunethra Goonewardene’s confidence was severely knocked after she fell and broke her arm. Until then, she had relied on her guide dog, Beau, but doctors advised her not to work with Beau while her arm was healing. The loss of independence was a potentially devastating blow for Sunethra as she normally enjoys a packed schedule, including teaching piano and volunteering as the chairperson for a local self-help group. For Sunethra to get her life back on track, she needed help rebuilding her confidence – and that’s where Daniel Hyams, from Finsbury Park, London, stepped in. This was his third My Guide partnership and he really enjoyed it: “I looked forward to doing it, which is important for a partnership to work.”

“Daniel is really lovely and wonderful as a guide, falling into step naturally.”

Buddy dogs go the extra mile A buddy dog is more than just a friend. A buddy dog can transform the life of a child with sight loss and their family, and, in some cases, not just one child but a whole school of children! Also from London, 93-year-old Helen Dunning came to the UK during the Second World War. Since then, she’s lived in Primrose Hill and knows a lot about the area. However, her eye condition meant she didn’t feel comfortable going out alone, especially in the evenings, so Guide Dogs matched her to My Guide volunteer, Christine Hall-Maiden. Since being partnered together, Helen’s life has been transformed as she has been able to do things she could not do on her own, such as her Christmas shopping. The two have formed a great relationship and admiration for each other. Chris loves Helen’s sense of humour and Helen describes Chris as “a very intelligent and sweet volunteer.”

Guide Dogs’ My Guide service is available to anyone with sight loss, reducing their isolation by giving them the confidence to get out and about. For My Guide volunteers, it’s a great way to learn new skills and know you’re making a real difference to people’s lives. To find out more, please email [email protected] or call 0118 983 8187.

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Buddy dogs start their training as guide dogs but, for various reasons, are withdrawn from training – like Vinny, whose temperament was so calm and laid back that he was reluctant to take the lead and guide his trainer. Making the decision to withdraw a dog is difficult but it’s easier when there’s an obvious alternative ‘career’ that will be equally life-changing. For Vinny, life as a buddy dog was the perfect match.

Buddy dog Teal is based at the Piper Hill Specialist Support School near Manchester, where she’s making a tremendous difference to many of the children. She even has the unusual distinction of being mentioned in the school’s Ofsted report: “The school goes the extra mile to ensure students have a happy time, for example introducing buddy dog Teal. She has become a muchloved member of the school community and enables students to develop a sense of wellbeing.” Teal helps pupils in many ways – as a sensory experience, as a way to teach responsibility, as a reward to improve behaviour, helping to improve communication skills and, as Deputy Headteacher Rob O’Hara (Teal’s carer) says: “As a friend when students just need that extra TLC.” To find out more about buddy dogs, please visit guidedogs. org.uk/services/buddy-dogs or call 0118 983 5555.

Vinny is already making a big difference to sevenyear-old August, who was born with cataracts in both eyes, and her family. Vinny’s role is to support August as well as to provide companionship – he is a reassuring presence in her bedroom at night, for example, and comes with her if she wakes up and needs to go to the bathroom. August’s Mobility Instructor, Allison Rowles says: “August loves Vinny and handles him really well already – you can see how proud she is of him.” Vinny was part of our Sponsor a Puppy scheme, with sponsors receiving regular ‘Pupdates’ following Vinny’s journey from six weeks old. To find out how you can sponsor a puppy, please call 0870 240 6993, or visit sponsorapuppy.org.uk Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

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Corporate partnerships

Day in the life of...

A holiday that helps Guide Dogs

Terry has been around cars and vans most of his life during a long career in motor manufacturing, firstly in Essex then in the Midlands. His enjoyment of driving helps during the lengthy road trips which can take him as far as Penrith in Cumbria. “But I also enjoy being with the pups, and the humans too!” said the 75-year-old. ”For the Penrith run, I get up at about 7am and head to the breeding centre to load the pups onto the van. Then I drive off, stopping once on the way, and we usually get to Penrith by about 11.30. When I get there, I meet the driver from Forfar Training School and we tend to just swap vans to avoid disturbing the pups, so he drives on and I drive his van back.”

Supporting Guide Dogs is seldom hard work but sometimes it can be very relaxing – for instance when staying in a holiday cottage booked through a company that has a partnership with Guide Dogs! cottages4you is one of many organisations that have teamed up with Guide Dogs to raise funds that help us transform the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted. From Petplan insurance to Andrex and from Jollyes Petfood Superstores to Donate Mobile, businesses of all shapes and sizes support Guide Dogs in many different ways. We have been working with cottages4you for several years now and they make a donation of ten per cent of the cost of the holiday cottage for each cottage booked through their own Guide Dogs dedicated website. Our corporate partnerships are invaluable to us, not just because they make a substantial contribution to our income but also because they enable us to reach a wider audience. We want to raise awareness of our life-changing work with as many people as possible, and hope to gain more supporters and volunteers as a result. Often these partnerships give us access to other companies that share the same or similar values or concerns as we do, which give us access to additional funds and opportunities to recruit even more volunteers and supporters.

With winter’s grip very much still upon us, readers’ thoughts may be turning to plans for their holidays. If you are a guide dog owner or have a pet dog, a key attraction of many of cottages4you’s holiday homes is that they welcome canine visitors too. There are thousands of properties on their website, large and small, in the UK and overseas, and short breaks too. To visit the site, go to cottages-4-you.co.uk/ guidedogs, or call 0845 268 1762.

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Terry Cane from Evesham, has been a volunteer driver for Guide Dogs for seven years. He tells Forward how he enjoys hitting the road and why he’s known as ‘the puppy bingo man’.

The welcome party for Terry’s furry deliveries is usually a mix of puppy walkers and local Guide Dogs staff. He said: “The puppy walkers are often first-timers or quite inexperienced so they’re encouraged to get started there and then. I’m known as the puppy bingo man because the pups are all chipped with a number which relates to the number on their documents, so when I turn up I say ‘right, eyes down…’ “I often think about what the pups I drive around will go on to do. Because I’ve also seen my daughter’s brood bitch have about 30 pups over the years, you do think to yourself will they become a guide dog? Or breed stock? Or have another career altogether? It’s great to think that so many do go on to become guide dogs and help change people’s lives.

“I became a volunteer driver when my daughter had a brood bitch called Joy – a ‘guide dog mum’ – who is now retired. I was put in touch with a supervisor, we were visited and vetted and it went from there.”

“When I retired we did quite a bit of travelling, so having a dog permanently didn’t really come up, but I would like to maybe one day have a retired guide dog or one that didn’t quite make it.”

Terry Cane, volunteer driver

The National Breeding Centre has a team of 14 volunteer drivers who transport pups across the country, taking great care of their precious cargo. Between July 2012 and June 2013 they transported an average of 88 puppies every month on 213 trips covering an amazing 53,000 miles.

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Gifts in Wills

Gifts in Wills

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A gift that’s full of life Did you know that two out of three guide dogs are made possible thanks to gifts in Wills?

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To raise awareness of just how crucial these gifts are to Guide Dogs, we’ve been working with the Daily Telegraph, to tell readers how a gift in their Will could transform the life of a person with sight loss.

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Along with lots of other coverage, they’re regularly publishing a legacy advert that features 25-year-old Lynette Proctor from Wallasey, and her guide dog Pippa. Pippa has given Lynette the chance to lead a full and active life, and the ad demonstrates this by featuring photos of the pair throughout the day, from getting out of bed at 7.00am to turning in at around 11.00pm.

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Will you leave a gift that’s full of life? Will you leave a gift that’s full of life?

Guide dog Pippa is there for her owner Lynette all day, every day. She’s given her dog the confidence enjoying her whole again Guide Pippa is thereto forstart her owner Lynette all day,life every day.without She’s relying on others. “With Pippa by my side, her my whole friends bewithout my friends given her the confidence to start enjoying lifecan again relying on others. “With Pippa by my side, my friends can be my friends not my carers,” says Lynette. Please leave a gift in your Will to Guide Dogs my visually carers,” impaired says Lynette. Pleaselive leave a giftday in your Will full. to Guide Dogs andnot help people every to the and help visually impaired people live every day to the full.

For a free information pack and DVD, For a free information pack and DVD, visit guidedogs.org.uk/life, call us on visit guidedogs.org.uk/life, call us on

0845 37 37 27 27 3737 1 or fillfillininthe 0845 1 or theform form below. below. TitleTitle

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Pleasereturn return envelope Please in in anan envelope to: to: FreepostRSBC-ARYS-YATB, RSBC-ARYS-YATB, Freepost Gifts Team, Guide Dogs, GiftsininWills Wills Team, Guide Dogs, Chippenham SN14 6NG Chippenham SN14 6NG A13058001 A13058001 A charity registered in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979).

A charity registered in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979).

09/10/2013 14:37

09/10/2013 14:37

As with any photographs, however, they don’t tell the whole story and we thought Forward readers might like a little inside information… The first photo shows a cheeky Pippa looking at Lynette’s feet poking out from under her duvet; according to the photo, it’s 7am. But we know, from speaking to Lynette, that Pippa will already have been awake for at least half an hour by that time, asking for her breakfast which, Lynette says, “she generally gets before I have mine!”

Come 4.15, Pippa is photographed relaxing at home, playing with a toy. “She tries to play with my other dog, Sully, who tolerates her,” laughs Lynette, “and chases my four cats around too. She never stops!” The picture for 8.44pm shows Lynette having a drink with friends. Her friends from university are scattered across the country but Pippa helps her keep in touch: “Pippa came to Birmingham with me recently for a big uni reunion. She fits in great and has been made an honorary member of our group.” We hope the photos in our ad give people a little insight into just how invaluable our precious guide dogs are. The reality, of course, is that there’s even more going on behind the images – for instance, as well as a work placement in her local GP practice, Lynette regularly travels to a hospital in Liverpool to give visual awareness training to the staff. She really does lead a full life thanks to Pippa and the support of people like you. When Lynette agreed to take part in this project, she was only too happy to help. “Before Pippa, I was treating each day as if it were a chore that took so much effort to accomplish. I had no dreams or goals past going to bed each night. I really can’t emphasise enough how much she’s changed my life.” If you’d like to find out more about leaving a gift in your Will, please contact the Gifts in Wills Team on 0845 603 1477 or [email protected]

The photo taken at 9.00am is of Pippa with Lynette at her local swimming pool. What the casual observer wouldn’t know is that staff at the pool are so impressed with Pippa they allow her to sleep in their office while Lynette has her swim.

Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

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Guide Dogs Annual Awards

Guide Dogs Annual Awards

Guide Dogs Annual Awards 2013 The London Hilton on Park Lane was the elegant setting for the Guide Dogs Annual Awards in partnership with Specsavers. During an evening of celebration, glamour and fun, guests heard unforgettable stories about our volunteers, guide dog owners and, of course, our dogs. And the winners are…

Before Vargo, Mahomed depended on his family. Now he’s studying for a Master’s degree, represents England in blind cricket and has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charity.

The overall Guide Dog of the Year Award winner is chosen from three different categories of award: Guide Dog of the Year – Beyond the Call of Duty, won by Emma and Jazz, Guide Dog of the Year – Outstanding Work, won by Andrea Hope and Zeta, and Guide Dog of the Year – Life Changing, won by Mahomed Khatri and Vargo.

Despite suffering from several allergies, Zeta still thrives on her work and intuitively seems to know what Andrea wants.

Young Person’s Achievement Award – Torie Tennant Blind from birth and, at 22, Northern Ireland’s youngest guide dog owner, Torie campaigns for improvements to transport and accessibility and is passionate that young people like her should enjoy equal opportunities. She’s a deserving winner of this award for people aged between 14 and 25, who are blind or partially sighted, whose volunteering contribution is making a real difference.

Breaking Down Barriers Award – Anna Beresford This new award celebrates work being done to break down the barriers that prevent people who are blind or partially sighted from getting out and about on their own terms. It was won by Anna, who is a powerful advocate for Guide Dogs. Having sight and hearing loss herself, she’s passionate about fighting for the rights of people who are visually impaired and is regularly involved in lobbying and campaigning.

Guide Dog of the Year Award Emma Free and Jazz

Inspirational Guide Dog Owner Award – Konrad Galen-Bisping

sponsored by Specsavers

This award goes to a guide dog owner who has achieved something exceptional or overcome a significant challenge. Konrad lost his sight after being attacked, suffering from memory problems and post-traumatic stress. He never went anywhere alone. Yet within a week of being paired with guide dog Radley, he was able to walk down a busy shopping street on his own. He now has an independence no one thought possible.

The overall Guide Dog of the Year Award went to Emma Free and Jazz, whose heroic actions potentially saved not one but three lives. Jazz was waiting with Emma and her two young sons at a crossing. Suddenly Jazz pulled Emma back and the boys quickly followed. Seconds later, a huge lorry mounted the kerb exactly where they’d been standing. Thanks to Jazz’s lightning reaction, no one was hurt.

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Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

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Guide Dogs Annual Awards Lifetime Achievement Award – Lamont Forbes MBE An exceptional ambassador for Guide Dogs in Scotland, Lamont began supporting the organisation in 1975. Since then Lamont’s roles have included volunteer liaison officer, Guide Dogs speaker and branch chairman. Awarded the MBE in 1999 for services to Guide Dogs, Lamont’s achievements are extraordinary and local staff say they simply couldn’t do without him.

Volunteer of the Year Award – Danny Rooney Danny has devoted huge amounts of time, energy and enthusiasm to promoting Guide Dogs in the local community and is always ready to support staff and fellow volunteers. Danny has been the ‘driving’ force behind some very popular golf events in Scotland, which have raised enough money to name six puppies. The winner of the overall Volunteer of the Year Award is chosen from three Volunteer of the Year categories. Danny won the category for Fundraiser of the Year. The other two winners were Sandra Hoffman, Volunteer of the Year – Outstanding Dedication, sponsored by Ricoh UK Limited, and Rachel Patterson, Volunteer of the Year – Young People’s Award. Partner of the Year Award – Microsoft and Gamelab This award recognises the importance of partnerships to Guide Dogs and in improving the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted. Gamelab have worked with Guide Dogs on software which encourages children with sight loss to practice exercises to improve their skills in getting around, and Microsoft UK have donated about 3,000 hours of expertise, helping Guide Dogs explore technology which can greatly enhance the lives of people with sight loss – you can read more about this ground-breaking work on page 16.

Gifts for the future As well as having an extremely memorable and moving evening, guests at the awards raised money for Guide Dogs by taking part in our fundraising activities and bidding for items that money can’t buy in our auction. Their generosity has raised well over £100,000 so far and is set to raise more. The money raised will enable us to support many more blind and partially sighted people in years to come. We are especially grateful to our sponsors, Specsavers, for their incredible support, and to all the organisations and individuals who attended the awards to make them such a great success.

The generation game From left to right: Kane, grandson Pudsey and son Taylor

The generation game Every guide dog was once a tiny pup, born to one of our brood bitches and stud dogs – our amazing guide dog ‘mums and dads’. The best of the best, these dogs are taken If you are interested care of by some very in becoming a breed stock special volunteers. holder, please You might not recognise this yellow Labrador on the street, but last year Kane starred in ITV’s Me and My Guide Dog. Kane is a stud dog and was chosen because he had been mated with a bitch who was going to be filmed whelping at the National Breeding Centre.

visit guidedogs. org.uk/supportus/ volunteering to find out more about the criteria you would need to fulfil, or call our National Breeding Centre on 0845 3727 432.

Kane is now nine years old and enjoying his retirement with his breed stock holder Pam Faulkner, after siring an impressive 171 puppies. The youngest of those are still in training but he already has 88 qualified guide dogs, 11 brood bitches and five stud dogs to his name. “He has such a beautiful nature,” says Pam, “and has produced puppies just like him.” Kane’s legacy has spread far beyond the UK too, with both his progeny and semen being given to guide dog organisations as far apart as Canada, Israel, the USA and Australia.

To read more about the awards, please visit guidedogs.org.uk/awards

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An apology: in our autumn feature on Goldie, the ‘Blue Peter’ brood bitch, we wrongly captioned a photo of Sarah Greene ‘Janet Ellis’.

As a guide dog owner himself, John Garrett knows from personal experience the vital role that both the brood stock and volunteers play in changing lives. On his first tour of the National Breeding Centre when starting as a Volunteer Development Coordinator, he discovered that Willow, the mother of his current guide dog Eddie, had died suddenly. This was a pivotal moment for him, and the start of a quest to find out more about Willow’s puppies and her volunteer carers, Lesley and Steve Cox. 16 puppies from Willow’s four litters have become guide dogs, transforming the lives of people of all ages and walks of life. “What really struck me,” explains John, “is they are all Willow’s living legacy.” An accomplished musician, John was inspired to write a song “as a response to my gain from the volunteers’ loss”, which he sent to Lesley and Steve as a way of thanking them for their invaluable contribution.

Name a Puppy

What’s on

Pupils, pups and pennies

Dogs Unite for Guide Dogs

Pupils at Colston’s School in Bristol have a novel approach to fundraising for Guide Dogs. Each year, over 600 pupils in four house groups take part in a ‘Mile of Pennies’ challenge – laying their collected copper coins along the school driveway to see which team’s line is longest. The school has been donating the proceeds of this challenge to Guide Dogs since 2010. However, following the sudden death of a well-loved teacher, Ray Mardle, in 2011, pupils decided to fundraise in a variety of ways to name a puppy in his memory. Their total stands at more than £3,000 and puppy Mardle has already visited the school. He is in good hands with volunteer puppy walkers Derek and Norma Stent, who’ve been looking after guide dog pups for an incredible 40 years.

Climb every mountain

Shakespeare’s puppies Juliet, Troilus, Othello… just some of the literary names that supporters of our Shakespeare’s Puppies Appeal hope to name their puppies. The brainchild of puppy walker Jackie Horton, the challenge was issued to the people of Stratford upon Avon to raise money to name puppies after Shakespearean characters. With local businesses, schools and staff of the Royal Shakespeare Company taking part, the appeal has certainly captured the imagination of the local community.

Three years ago, John Churcher joined Solihull Mountaineering Club. Fast forward to 2014 and John’s now the only guide dog owner in the GB Para-climbing Team. 39-year-old John, from Erdington, Birmingham, started losing his sight at 14 and became a guide dog owner in 2008. Thanks to guide dog Annie, John can travel independently to the daily training sessions that give him the fitness and skills to qualify for the GB team. When climbing, John relies on a spotter describing where the holds are. His friend Margaret, who introduced him to climbing, says: “Other experienced climbers just stop to watch him, amazed and inspired by what he is doing.”

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In recent years, hundreds of our supporters and their canine companions have taken to the streets, the park – almost anywhere, in fact – to Go Walkies for Guide Dogs. We’re giving Go Walkies a makeover and it will now be known as ‘Dogs Unite!’ Don’t worry – it will still be the only sponsored dog walk where the dogs are sponsored to take part and we hope the new name and new look will encourage even more

Crufts, Birmingham NEC: 6 – 9 March Meet our guide dogs and find out more about the difference they make to the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted. crufts.org.uk BBC Gardener’s World Birmingham NEC: 11 – 15 June Meet our dogs, take a walk in our Sensory Tunnel and take a blindfold challenge to test your senses. bbcgardenersworldlive.com Brighton Marathon: 6 April Join us in the vibrant city of Brighton for the UK’s second largest marathon.

people to get involved. ‘Dogs Unite!’ aims to inspire you and your four legged friends to be heroes for the day and to unite dogs of all shapes and sizes in helping our hero guide dogs fulfil their destiny – to enable people who are blind or partially sighted to get out and about on their own terms and live the lives they choose.

On 24 May we’re hosting a ‘Dogs Unite!’ event in one of the UK’s most iconic venues, the Olympic Park. It will be the only event of its kind to have taken place at the Olympic Park and there will be a whole host of surprises in store on this ground-breaking occasion. It will be a wonderful day out for the whole family (including your furry friends) to enjoy. You can follow all the news, read updates and find out how to book tickets at facebook.com/dogsunite

There’s already exciting news for ‘Dogs Unite!’ in 2014.

‘Running Blind’ Catton Park, Derbyshire: August Bank Holiday weekend A brand new 12-hour off-road relay event where Guide Dogs is the main affiliated charity. The Coniston Challenge Lake District: 13 September A bespoke Guide Dogs multi-discipline event, where teams hike up the Old Man of Coniston, mountain bike through Grizedale Forest and kayak across Coniston Water.

Looking for a challenge? Take part in a Guide Dogs event! Visit guidedogs.org.uk/events or call 0845 600 6787 for more information.

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Our supporters

Our supporters

Thanks to our supporters

It’s always fantastic to read about the inventive, ingenious and – let’s face it, sometimes insane – ways our supporters raise money for Guide Dogs. But I’m especially touched to read about all the celebrations you’ve used as opportunities to support us. It’s wonderful that you share your birthdays and anniversaries with us – and even your weddings. It’s even more wonderful when the wedding is between a guide dog owner and a volunteer, like Mavis and John from Lincoln. Thank you all for spreading the joy of your special days beyond your friends and family to the thousands of blind and partially sighted people we reach out to every day – it means so much. Director of Fundraising and Marketing Medals and mountains Having won gold at the 2012 Paralympics, James Roe, who has a visual impairment, is now energetically supporting Guide Dogs. He and his partner, Cat Webber, climbed Mount Kenya as part of our Shakespeare’s Puppies Appeal (see page 28). They hope to raise enough to name a puppy Titus. Well done to volunteers and staff from Peterborough Mobility Team, who raised more than £1,000, and members of fundraising groups across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, who raised a further £7,000 during Guide Dogs Week. Events included a guide dog obedience display, and West Norfolk Borough Mayor Liz Watson was guided around King’s Lynn blindfolded.

The 2013 Flag Day held by Plymouth fundraising group raised a record £2,075. Guide dog owners and puppy walkers were helped by staff at Caffe Gallerie, who joined in enthusiastically – in fancy dress!

Volunteers Helen Graham, Deborah Ingram and Pam Chalkley organised a superb Dine in the Dark Halloween themed evening for 100 guests at the Hilton Hotel Maidstone on behalf of the Maidstone Mobility Team. It was a huge success, raising just over £4,000 from ticket sales, an auction and tombola.

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John Dodston asked friends and family for donations rather than presents when celebrating his retirement and 65th birthday. He handed over a cheque for £170 to Community Engagement Officer Sue Rowen at a puppy walking class in Colchester.

The new Weston-Super-Mare fundraising group joined forces with Charity SciFi to raise £724. The charity is hoping to name a puppy ‘Motti’, in memory of Richard Le Parmentier – Admiral Motti in ‘Star Wars’. The mixture of guide dogs and sci-fi characters was a great attraction for holiday makers but guide dog owners all agreed that K9 would never replace their amazing guide dogs! Thank you to everyone who made the first Peterborough Fun Day so special – and helped raise £9,000. Pictured is a young visually impaired girl meeting her first guide dog.

Congratulations to guide dog owner John Algar and his grandson, Ben Lenton, who took on a sponsored skydive to ‘Stand Out for Guide Dogs’. In 30 seconds, they travelled two miles down and raised over £900.

Guide dog owner Theresa OsborneBell ran the Great South Run, guided by friend David Bell dressed in a puppy costume. Having not done anything like this before, she described it as a “great but exhausting experience.” So far Theresa has raised over £350.

A big thank you to the team from Lloyds Bank in Leeds, who did a sterling ‘ground force’ day for Leeds Mobility Team, clearing weeds and overgrown trees.

A collection at the Darlington Flag Day raised £828. Thank you to everyone who took part, including members of the Coldstream Guards. Kettering, Corby and District fundraising branches were delighted to be part of the World Conker Championships at Southwick, near Oundle. The demonstration team from Leamington also attended, and ‘King Conker’, aka David Jakins, did a blindfold walk. Despite dreadful weather, they raised £242 from a tombola, donations and trading items. Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

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Our supporters It only took one day for pupils at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, Sutton Coldfield, to raise an incredible £1,500 to name a puppy. They raised the money through a nonuniform day, cake sale and soak-theteacher event.

So far staff and customers at Sainsbury’s Colchester store have raised over £1,300 with fundraising activities including a blueand-yellow (Guide Dogs colours!) dress down day, and many more planned for the future.

Karen Norton became a guide dog owner at the start of her final year as a teacher at Stalham Junior School before retiring last summer. She was delighted when the pupils raised over £2,300 through a sponsored walk and other events.

Pembrokeshire vets Johan and JeanneMarie Eksteen ran the Cardiff Half Marathon in memory of one of their favourite patients, guide dog Wilma, and raised £1,250. The couple supported Guide Dogs because they were so impressed by the way staff handled Wilma’s illness.

Green fingered gardener Jimmy Black sells vegetables from his allotment, raising £100 each summer. He’s helped by his sister-in-law, Sue, and has fenced off an area for his guide dog, Crispin, so he can safely keep an eye on proceedings.

The Ilford Brownies enjoyed their visits to Redbridge Guide Dog Training School so much that they donated £100. And when Mr and Mrs Joss and their family spent a day at the school as part of their 40th wedding anniversary celebrations, they very generously gave £1,050 by way of thanks. The highlight of their day was a blindfolded walk with one of the young guide dogs. When guide dog owner Mavis James married volunteer John Fisher, from Lincoln fundraising group, they asked for donations to Guide Dogs rather than gifts and were delighted to receive £810. The church was full to bursting with wellwishers and the couple’s happiness was clear to see.

Watford fundraising group held a fundraising night at the Oxhey Hall Social Club and raised £600. Music was provided by the Good Old Boys, whose members come from notable British rock bands including Deep Purple and the Strawbs. Guide dog owner Steve Hale and his dog Yoshi drew the raffle.

Coventry fundraising group members Jackie, Doreen and Karina, and guide dog Tanya are pictured here with Star Wars Storm Trooper (Paul Heritage), who beamed in to help their collection efforts, asking members of the public to have their photos taken with him for a donation to Guide Dogs. The group raised an impressive £823.

A fabulous time was had by all at the FitSteps 4 Guide Dogs event held at four locations – Reading, West Lothian, Newcastle and Leamington. They were led by Strictly Come Dancing’s Ian Waite and FitSteps’ Head of Training and Development Ian Parker. Nearly £4,000 was raised, which will go towards naming a guide dog puppy.

In memory

Guide dog owner Alan Fletcher has already raised an amazing £5,000 as part of ‘4pups4Joy’, his fundraising website set up in memory of his guide dog Joy, who died suddenly last summer. He hopes to raise £20,000, enough to name four guide dog puppies.

Congratulations to 14-year-old Bethan Squires, from Chippenham, who’s already volunteered for Guide Dogs for two years. So impressed was her school by her contribution to the school and community, they recommended her for a Rotary Club Community Award, which she received at an awards ceremony in October.

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Many thanks to Kathy, Robin and Jay Wroe-Brown, who along with guide dog puppy Bracken, completed a sponsored walk to the summit of Ben Nevis and raised £525.85.

Elizabeth Hubbick We are extremely sad to report the sudden death of Elizabeth Hubbick in September. Elizabeth worked tirelessly for Guide Dogs for more than 30 years and was

our Deputy Chair from 2009 until 2011. She was also a very energetic and committed fundraiser with the Exeter branch. Elizabeth was greatly respected by everyone who worked with her and the news of her death came as a great shock to the whole Guide Dogs community. She will be very sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure to work alongside her and our deepest sympathy goes to her husband, David, and her family.

Dorothy Lamb Tributes have been paid to Dorothy Lamb, who died in July at the age of 83.

A guide dog owner herself, she and her husband, Ray, travelled tirelessly around Cornwall, raising money for a cause that meant so much to her. Her sense of humour and infectious personality endeared her to all she met.

Stella Martin It is with great sadness that we report the death of Stella Martin of Eastbourne, who died peacefully in August after a short illness. She had been blind since her late teens and enjoyed a full and active life, aided and abetted by her greatly loved guide dogs. She is greatly missed by her many friends.

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Canine obituaries

We’ll never

forget

If you would like to pay tribute to a guide dog you have known, please send your tribute (up to a maximum of 25 words) to [email protected] or to Forward at Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, RG7 3YG.

Aden 22.5.00 – 5.11.13 Adopted by the Clark family 12 years ago, he has been a lovely member of the family. Thank you for everything he brought to us.

Bebe 21.3.98 – 17.8.13 Devoted guide to Tanya until she retired to the country and made a friend of everyone she met. Sleep well old timer, Heather, Allan & Tess.

Allie 12.8.98 – 3.6.13 An amazing companion, always there for me, even though she had retired. Special friend to Supreya, Audrey and Theresa. I will miss you old girl.

Cassie 22.6.00 – 6.10.13 Always in our hearts, never forgotten. Loved and missed by all who knew her. Sleep tight my little girl. God bless. Love Mum, Dad and Reet.

Amba 7.8.97 – 14.6.13 “Our little poppet”, wonderful, gentle and loving. Puppy walked by Mrs W Bell, Redcar, adopted at 18 months by the Lightburn family, Durham. Sadly missed. Anton 11.9.99 – 12.10.13 Did not become a guide dog but lived near the sea and enjoyed a free and happy life with us for nearly 14 years.

Allie

Clover 9.5.00 – 16.8.13 Walked and retired to Gill and Ted Parkinson. Super dog, good friend and loved by all. Sleep well bonny lass. Croft 20.10.01 – 8.7.13 Puppy walked by Alicyn Lochhead. He was my first puppy and such a wonderful boy. He set me on the road to walking more. Sadly missed.

Amba

Dora

Dixy

Anton

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Dalton 15.4.96 – 18.4.13 Guide dog to Sheila Rushton. My little star whose presence blessed many. Fantastic retirement with Jill and Bob Mills. Thank you my big faithful boy. Digby 5.6.99 – 7.2.13 Guide to and retired with Bob Jones. Loving, loyal, funny, gentle giant, who could swipe food off the table as he passed. Sadly missed by everyone. Dixie 5.6.99 – 17.4.13 Mother to 38 puppies and foster mum to three more. We miss our lovely girl every day. Tony and Barbara Dixy 27.5.00 – 17.6.13 Didn’t qualify but came home to be matriarch, mentor and champion earwasher to countless pups. Missing you so much angel. See you at the rainbow bridge.

Bebe

Dora (known as Meg) 31.3.00 – 30.9.13 A very special brood bitch – gentle, with excellent manners. Her last litter was promoted by McFly. Dusky 27.9.99 – 5.7.13 Faithful first guide to Rayana Adams and Doug, Newport. Three happy years’ retirement with puppy walkers Sylvia and Gerald Stiff. Much loved and sadly missed. Love you Dusky. Eden 2.4.00 – 25.07.13 Faithful guide to Tony Randall for eight years. Retired to Ray and Angela for four wonderful years. Very handsome boy much missed by us all. Emma 28.5.00 – 22.05.13 Walked by and retired to Julia and Andy Howard. Goodbye our beautiful Goldie. Thank you for so

Dalton

Digby

Eden

Emma

many happy days and long walks together. XXX

Jenny Noctor. Now in heaven. Sadly missed, still grieving.

RIP Harmony, we all miss you, including Bear and Peggy.

Esme (Izzy) 20.12.98 – 29.08.13 A wonderful friend and companion who enjoyed her happy retirement in the New Forest with Val and Dennis Challis. Loved and sadly missed.

Glade 2.6.04 – 6.9.13 Wonderful mum and friend to us all. You will always be missed by the Boden family. Run free with Louis.

Henna 27.2.01 – 19.7.13 Henna was such an amazing, special and beautiful dog who will be hugely missed. In my heart forever.

Faldo 31.10.00 – 2.9.13 Withdrawn from guide dog training but the most amazing companion. Simply the greatest dog the world has ever known. My daughter Niki and I are heartbroken. Fliss 31.10.00 – 23.5.13 Rehomed to us at 19 months. You brought the sunshine into our lives. Loved always, forever missed, our sun has set. Always our Puppa Jack. Gable 16.5.98 – 29.6.13 Beloved friend, guide and companion to

Faldo

Fliss

Granger 14.2.99 – 16.10.13 Puppy walked by Teresa Phillips and medically retired at seven months old. Remained with us until the end, Teresa, John and family. XXX Hamlet 4.8.99 – 17.9.13 Retired back to puppy walker Carol Oliver and family. Hamlet gave so much joy; he was loved beyond measure and will live in our hearts forever. Harmony 8.99 – 9.13 Exceptional guide to Barbara Gilhooly, my precious, loyal companion. The best little dog I ever had.

Glade

Hobie 25.3.02 – 30.10.13 Rehomed after puppy walking due to cataracts. Thank you my Best Boy for all that we’ve shared. My dear friend, remembered always with love. Ishka 15.6.99 – 13.9.13 Loved by all. Puppy walked by Jean Endersby, adopted by Margaret Offord. Life will never be the same without you, forever in my thoughts. Ivan 29.11.99 – 16.8.13 Guide to David Tinkler, Kettering, for over nine years. Retired with Anna

Granger

Hamlet

Esme and Brian Roberts. An exemplary guide dog, loved and admired by all. Jasper 31.3.01 – 3.6.13 In loving memory of Jasper. The gentlest teddy bear imaginable, who gave as much love as received. The brightest star will shine for you Jas! Jim 5.10.03 – 13.9.13 Beautiful border collie. Puppy walked and adopted by Cynthia Russell. Loved by all who met him. Now free from pain. Bless you, lovely lad. Jubbie Joe 5.5.05. – 7.9.13 Treasured guide dog to the late Des Maloney. Rehomed to and adored by Clive and Denise Proctor. A very special boy – too young to die.

Harmony

Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

35

Canine obituaries

Henna

Hobie

We’ll never forget

Ishka

Kandy 22.3.97 – 1.6.13 Beautiful first guide to Sheila Scott, retired to Deirdre and Gerry McVean. Loved by everyone; an outstanding fundraiser for Guide Dogs. Fond memories.

in peace with Aiden. See you in heaven.

Kathy 4.12.99 – 6.8.13 Retired to puppy walkers Jean and Frank Smith. Her tail wagged to the end. We will miss you forever. Lick from Carlo, your friend to the end.

Lester 8.11.03 – 28.2.12 Puppy walked and returned to us, loved sitting on the sofa with his family and blanket and living by the beach. Greatly missed. RIP Beautiful.

Keaton 10.2.05 – 10.5.13 Guide dog to Heather. My Yiddishe guide dog. You were my eyes, my family and my only true friend. Kimber 15.6.01 – 9.7.13 Very loved guide to Isobel Brown. Sadly missed by all family, Betsy and friends. Goodnight handsome boy. Rest

Kirby

Kirby 7.1.01 – 17.7.13 I have lost a great friend, rest easy lad and run free, your work here is done. A loyal guide to Nigel Ashby.

Mandy 8.1.01 – 16.10.13 Caring, conscientious guide to Isobel Yule. Lovingly puppy walked by Jean Parham. Farewell my beautiful, gentle, happy girl. Forever in my heart. Sadly missed. Natalie 20.8.99 – 13.8.12 Third guide to Frances Guyver. Sure as a shadow by my side, my ever watchful careful

Lester

Mandy

36 Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

Jim

Jubbie Joe

guide. Remembering you always with much love, Mum. X Nikki 18.3.99 – 25.07.13 Eddie’s blonde Nikki Noo, trained by Shelley at Redbridge. A wonderful guide dog and loving family friend, who brought new life to Eddie. Oban 17.9.97 – 2.3.13 Guide to Linda Jauer, retired to Helen and Douglas Denholm. He gave his all and wagged his tail until the end. Totally adored and sorely missed. Oban 17.9.98 – 28.10.13 Guide to our son Peter, retired to us seven years ago. An amazing dog. So many happy memories, it was a privilege to know him Owen 30.11.00 – 22.07.13 Second guide to Ros Watkins. Owie – noisy, happy, gentle, funny

Natalie

Kathy

and gentleman thief. You have left a huge space in our home and our hearts. Paddy 4.98 – 10.13 Guide dog to June Wood, retired to Janet Tyson, puppy walked by Sarah Gough. Go free Paddy boy and God bless. Pebbles 10.6.98 – 17.6.13 Puppy walker Betty Gilbert. Withdrawn and rehomed with Val and Brian Godbold. Gone from our lives but not from our hearts. Run free PD (Pebble Dash). Pixie 20.2.00 – 23.8.13 Called Smiler by all who knew her. Produced lovely puppies and happily retired to Grace Brock. My best friend, she leaves a big hole in my life. Ruby 18.4.03 – 21.8.13 Rehomed in training

Oban

Oban

Owen

Pebbles

to her puppy walkers. Loved and missed so much by Frances and Gordon Johnston and her wee pal Poppy. Sleep tight Ruby. Russ 6.8.98 – 9.7.13 Adopted on early retirement. A faithful and loving friend for nearly nine years. Ann’s ‘pickle’ and Gordon’s ‘best pal’, he will never be forgotten. XXX Ryan 20.2.00 – 31.7.13 My beautiful boy. Loved by everyone and adored by me as I was by him. Always in my heart, my first guide. Love you forever. Scarlett 14.3.04 – 1.7.13 First guide. She was a happy, loving, playful, friendly girl. Wagged her tail to the end. She will always be in our hearts. Judith and Geoff

Stanley

Tamara

Pixie Sharon 17.7.99 – 27.10.13 Now run free our beautiful girl in the wind and rain, like you did when you were young, through woods and fields again. Stanley 27.9.01 – 14.10.13 Puppy walked by Muriel and Peter Emmerson, guide to Harry Edwards, retired early to Phil Williams. One in a million. RIP big beautiful boy. Tamara 26.2.98 – 26.7.13 Peacefully put to sleep. Never made a guide dog but

Ruby

Russ

what a wonderful pet and friend to the Littlewood family. Loved by everyone. Irreplaceable. Vanda 7.4.99 – 20.8.13 Fourth guide to Les Pettett. Exceptional worker, enjoyed her retirement. Much loved by all who knew her. All our love, Mum, Dad and Tilly. Venice 8.5.01 – 21.3.13 Guide to Diana for eight wonderful years, then retired to live with the family. Sadly missed. A wonderful girl who touched the hearts of all she met.

Scarlett Watson 28.7.97 – 29.05.13 Guide to John Dear, retired to puppy walkers the Moss family. Much loved, so sadly missed – our handsome ‘gentleman’ with enthusiasm and zest for life. Yulie 30.1.02 – 25.6.13 Always remembering a much-loved girl. Wonderful mother to 37 healthy puppies. Kind, patient, completely in tune – my kindred spirit. Forever missed, forever loved, Mary.

Guide Dogs is working with the Blue Cross to provide a bereavement support service for current and retired guide dog owners and volunteers who are grieving the loss of their dog or pup through retirement, rehoming, illness, separation, transition or death. A phone line is open daily from 8.30am – 8.30 pm and there is an email service for people who prefer to write about how they are feeling. Guide dog owners and volunteers can call the bereavement service on 0800 096 6606 or email [email protected]

Vanda

Venice

Watson

Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

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New partnerships

Congratulations to our new partnerships Belfast Steven Barns & Zane from Lisburn GSDxGR, Robert & Vera Gordon from Aberdeen * Mr and Mrs Simpson from Leamington Spa Mark Harrigan & Lady from Londonderry L, Gordon John McGregor from Tayport * Sandra Sweetland from Stratford-upon-Avon Lauren Hurley & Sparky from Omagh L, Nancy Taylor from Kilmarnock * Liz Russell-Yarde from Coventry

Andrea McLaughlin & Gina from Londonderry GRxGSD, Diane McRoberts from Dunfermline * Anne Cadwallader from Southam Jean Murray & Heidi from Enniskillen GRxL, Ann Fraser from Kirkcaldy * Marie Court from Halesowen Kirsten Robson & Kip from Newtownards L, Robert Kirk from Irvine * MarieClaire Montgomery from Leamington Spa Birmingham

Eleanor Jackson & Ivan from Craigavon L, Dick & Pamela Milestone from Leyburn * Jeanette Hannon from Oldbury

Andrew Bailey & Ufton from Hereford STPxL, Jane Moore from Milton Keynes * Rachel Cutler from Rugby

Rosemary McEvoy & Gabby from Craigavon GRxGSD, Jl Banks from Carnoustie * Anne Cadwallader from Southam

Elizabeth Baio & Yazmin from Worcester LxGR, Sue Davy from Oldbury * Sue Davy from Oldbury Catherine Fenwick & Wyn from Cheltenham L, Susan Williams from Paignton * Natasha Brady from Northampton Anthony Gough & Rodney from Birmingham L, Susan Philpott from Dudley * Debra Williams from Melton Mowbray Karen & Zorro from Birmingham GRxL, Barbara Glover from Stourbridge * Ruth Philpott from Malvern Megan Paul & Tate from Cheltenham GRxL, Carol Edwards from

38 Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

New partnerships New partnerships are listed by Mobility Team. Each listing details owner, guide dog, town, breed, puppy walker and brood bitch holder. Warm congratulations to all our new qualifiers. Bedworth * Mr and Mrs Cope from Birmingham John Stancombe & Yosef from Cinderford LxGR, Julie March from Cannock * Alison Morton from Leamington Spa Tracey Wilson & Albert from Quedgeley GRxL, Pat Hill from Leicester * Tracy Twomey from Leamington Spa Cardiff Jackie Bethell & Dash from Cardiff GR, Gwill and Dawn James from Pontypool * S Priestman from Rushden Sue Canham & Anjelo from Tenby GRxL, Michael Davie from Loughborough * Y Dillon from Warwick Susan Foley & April from Swansea LxGR, Jeannette Draper from Ross On Wye, Brenda Mead from Tewkesbury * Erica Dowse from Coventry Nathan Foy & Mason from Cardiff GRxL, Patricia Joyce from Abingdon * Barbara Swain from Leamington Spa

Jordan from Stafford Louise Jenkins & Quinta from Llandysul L, Jessica Jones from Cheltenham * Gordon Macrae from Over Norton Gwilym Thomas Jones & Poppy from Corwen GRxL, Dawn Moore from Leigh, P Whitehead from Dukinfield * Jane Chance from Kidderminster Geraldine Newman & Kandy from Monmouth GRxGSD, Norah Clarke from Porthcawl * Trudy Evans from Coventry Joanne O’Connor & Opal from Hengoed L, Jackie Horton from Stratford Upon Avon * Janice Briggs from Leamington Spa Rory Roberts & Nutmeg from Newcastle Emlyn GRxL, Doctor Janine Hale-Brown from Bristol * Robert Jones from Rushden Lisa Tainton & Ava from Pontypool GSD, Joan Raxter from Redditch * Amanda Turner from Shrewsbury Coventry

James Gibb & Alfie from Tredegar LxGR, Sheila Stephens from Pontypridd * Joan Raxter from Redditch

Sheila Armstrong & Zena from Market Harborough GRxL, Serena Jones from Bristol * Ruth Philpott from Malvern

Sharon Howells & Palmer from Cardiff GRxFCR, Elizabeth Bullimore from Pontypool * Alison

Maggie Bowes & Yuan from Warwick LxGR, Alison Bamford-Elsdon from Newton Abbot

* Alison Morton from Leamington Spa Lyndall Burnham & Evie from Loughborough GRxL, Val Jackson from Kidderminster * Phil Revill from Southam Robin Christopherson & Archie from Warwick GSD, Angela Cutter from Solihull * Amanda Turner from Shrewsbury Jean Cooper & Uska from Leicester LxGR, Deborah Jones from Cardiff * Mr and Mrs Davies from Telford Margaret Cusker & Quip from Rugby L, Helen Denholm-Simmonds from Stourport-onSevern * Mr and Mrs Wood from Leicester

Ann Hutchins & Jackson from Sileby GRxL, Elaine Hooton from Hinckley * Caroline Lyons from Nuneaton

Murray Jenkinson & Earl from Musselburgh GRxL, Douglas Walker from Ardrossan * Jason Webb from Birmingham

Jean King & Purdey from Bristol GRxL, Roger Walters from Coseley * Jayne Hallam from Walsall

Andrew Logue & Zenner from Helensburgh GSDxGR, Alan McGrath from Bangor, Sandra Smyth from Newtownards * Mr and Mrs Simpson from Leamington Spa

Richard Williams & Nugget from Loughborough GRxL, Patricia Jones from Bridgwater * Robert Jones from Rushden

Pat Alexander & Pearl from Bristol LxGR, Margaret Calam from Beaworthy * Mary Cheesman from Southam

Edinburgh

Brian Rattray & Yakira from Edinburgh LxGR, Lynne Dickie from Irvine * Alison Morton from Leamington Spa

Derek Cross & Isaac from Paignton L, Val Rowe from Stafford, Sally Prime from Walsall * William Kelso from Alcester

Peter Ricca & Chester from Denny L, Alan Knott from Dumfries * Simon Hubble from Bilston

Pauline Dunne & Pudsey from Newport LxGR, Hugh King from Yeovil * Mary Cheesman from Southam

Peter Funnell & Zorro from Leicester GRxGSD, Jane French from Banbury * Sue Wilkins from Rugby

Cheryl Bradshaw & Dulci from Glasgow GRxL, Fiona Webster from Dundee * Clare Shortt from Kidderminster

Key:

Pauline Abley & Jazz from St Austell GRxL, Nicola Scarrott from Witney * Caroline Lyons from Nuneaton

Ronald Paterson & Hudson from Loanhead GRxL, Kenneth Macgregor from Glasgow * Marie Court from Halesowen

Stuart Beveridge & Ron from Lochgelly GRxL, Raymond Brown from Belfast * Adrian Newitt from Leamington Spa

Carole Houghton & Grace from Loughborough LxGR, Linda Hogg from Coalville * Erica Dowse from Coventry

Exeter

Adrian Wright & Jamie from Rugby GRxGSD, W Whiller from Plymouth * Julia Evans from Bromsgrove

Mike Duxbury & Drifter from Towcester L, Clare Mahoney from Bridgwater * Clare Turton from Solihull

Alyse Garner & Lola from Loughborough L, Peter John Bratt from Holmfirth

David Millan & Beth from Edinburgh LxGR, Stacey Tighe from Linlithgow * Les Powell from Coalville

Alfreda Weir & Newton from Dunfermline LxGR, Heather Maginn from Lisburn

Jean Coates & Toby from Kirkby Stephen GR, Margaret Woodward from Forres * Joy Dickinson from Abingdon John Hendry & Orchy from Aberdeen GRxL, Steve & Jane Baron from Stirling * Steve Shaw from Coalville

x – Crossbreed CCR – Curly Coat Retriever COL – Collie FCR – Flat Coat Retriever GR – Golden Retriever

Jeff Rooney & Holly from Gateshead GRxL, Hazel Hope from Inverurie * Cath Pedreschi from Evesham Steven Rutherford & Danny from Portobello GRxL, Mr and Mrs Coleman from Dundee * Clare Shortt from Kidderminster

Alicia Burchell & Mini from Bristol L, Lyndsey Bardsley from Stonehouse * Steve Parsons from Cirencester

Mark Evans & Olga from Cardiff GSD, Janet Steyn from Plymouth * Carla Nieuwenhuizen from Banbury Brian Harrison & Eric from Plymouth GRxGSD, Robert & Vera Gordon from Aberdeen

GSD – German Shepherd Dog IWS – Irish Water Spaniel L – Labrador SPIN – Spinone STP – Standard Poodle Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

39

New partnerships

New partnerships Stephen Hartley & Alfie from Tavistock LxGR, Michael Ferguson from Coalville * Erica Dowse from Coventry

Steffanie Wise & Dixon from Launceston L, Mel Horsell from Plymouth * David Windhaber from Northampton

Jennifer [Jen] James & Lindley from Sidmouth STPxL, Barbara Searing from Altrincham * Mr and Mrs Phipps from Lechlade

Glasgow

Eve Lopez & Jodi from Exeter GRxL, Ian and Avril Wonnacott from Okehampton * Rebecca Jackson from Kidderminster Timothy Mitchell & Kara from Bristol LxGSD, Patricia Revell from Solihull * Beryl Wyrko from Leicester Katie O’Dare & Ivy from Ashburton GRxL, Kairen Dawe from Paignton * David Windhaber from Northampton Irene Randall & Jenna from Teignmouth L, Kim Hewlett from Stratford Upon Avon * Linda Sheehan from Sutton Coldfield

Liam James Doran & Razor from Glasgow L, Aileen Murphy from Aberdeen * David Yarwood from Birmingham Janet Fleming & Quella from Hamilton GRxL, Lynne & Ron Page from Kirkcaldy * Dr Josie Blackshaw from Coventry George Gray & Alexander from Glasgow L, Sybil Gibb from Penicuik * Jill GordonLennox from Worcester Anne Maclean & Kane from Grantown-on-Spey L, Jeanette Bradley from Montrose * MarieClaire Montgomery from Leamington Spa Fiona Maynard & Olive from Bethersden GRxL, Debbie Williamson from Glasgow, Pamela Craigie from Glasgow

* Rebecca Leat from Towcester Michael McGhee & Ricky from Airdrie GRxL, Catherine Gallagher from Bangor * Susan Hayes from Northampton Matthew Melville & Palmer from Glasgow GRxL, Jo Thomas from Tillicoultry, Stewart Simpson from Burntisland * Mr and Mrs Dawson from Kenilworth Elizabeth Obern and Stan from Inverness L, Anne Simpson from Nairn * Liz Russell-Yarde from Coventry Bobby Stenhouse & Gismo from Beith GRxGSD, Stuart & Colette Robertson from Kirriemuir * Anne Cadwallader from Southam

Keith James & Hamish from Hull GRxL, Graham & Mary Moorcroft from Derby * Robert Walpole from Cirencester Ann Kohler & Bella from Hull L, David Ryder from Warrington, Mr and Mrs Hicks from Lytham St Annes * Elaine Roberts from Stourbridge David Mallaby & Flossie from Near Driffield L, Ambrose Greenfield from York * Dawn Wood from Kenilworth Caroline Ramsden & Millie from Grimsby L, Gwendoline Elizabeth Higginbottom from Sheffield * Linda Morris from Stratford-upon-Avon

Elizabeth Stirling & Dusty from Greenock GRxL, Elaine Cooper from Elgin * John Allsopp from Leamington Spa

Jean Seeley & Laura from Lincoln GRxL, Susan Brown from Wirral * Janet Stokes from Dudley

Matthew Ward & Ursula from Paisley LxGR, Patricia Clarke from Inverurie * John Starkey from Malvern

Susan Simmons & Talbot from Immingham GRxL, Carol Gray from Wetherby * Steve Shaw from Coalville

Hull

Sally Stoker & Kiki from Selby GRxGSD, Mrs Farrelly from Leeds * Trudy Evans from Coventry

Peter Admans & Quaver from Spalding GRxL, Barbara Milhench from Littleborough * Sue Price from Claverdon

40 Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

Shane Gibson & Bailey from Driffield L, Kerry Smith from Southwell * Dee Moloney from Leamington Spa

Leeds Anne Bennett & Stevie from Wakefield LxGR, Peter McFarland from Ballyclare, County Antrim Emma Frank & Katie from Malton GRxL, Sarah Saunby from Sheffield * Mr and Mrs Coughlan from Lutterworth Sophie MayerKing & Gypsy from Huddersfield GRxGSD, Louise McLoughlin from Knutsford * Anne Cadwallader from Southam

David Tayne & Ivor from Scarborough L, Pauline Green from Wilmslow * Jeanette Hannon from Oldbury

Claire Currie & Gulliver from Liverpool L, D Fletcher from Bolton * Ruth Mercer from Warwick

Joanne Redhead & Bart from St Helens L, Alan Turner from Bolton * Maureen Armitage from Leamington Spa

Heather Thackray & Tia from Leeds GRxL, Vincent Joseph Thorpe from Wakefield * Steve Shaw from Coalville

Naomi Ditchfield & Dixie from Liverpool GRxL, Mari Sturgess from Clwyd, Elizabeth Dale from Chester * Clare Shortt from Kidderminster

Michael Robinson & Gromet from Wallasey L, Dorothy Jones from Chester * Ruth Mercer from Warwick

Anne Welsh & Betty from Huddersfield GRxL, Joanne Hemsworth from Leeds, Tony and Anita Thorpe from Leeds * Victoria Milligan from Henley-in-Arden Liverpool

Alice Morris & Teddy from Harrogate GRxL, Mike & Chris O’Dowd from York * Mrs Cope from Birmingham Julie Murphy & Rolo from Wakefield L, David Brown from Lanark * David Yarwood from Birmingham Mary Naylor & Quest from Leeds GRxGSD, Teresa Syers from Morecambe * Amanda Turner from Shrewsbury Kevin Nicholson & Kent from Wakefield L, Lesley Trickett from Leeds, Rita Farnsworth from Keighley * Jill GordonLennox from Worcester Janet Perfitt & Titan from Bradford GRxL, Kay Kelly from Stockport * Philip Swallow from Warwick

Mark Bell & Fizz from Liverpool L, Josephine Brown from Liverpool * J Wassell from Warwick Louise Brackley & Jaydee from St Helens GRxL, Diane Dickinson from Preston * Doctor Josie Blackshaw from Coventry Anne Bradbury & Zally from Lymm L, Susan Summersgill from Huddersfield, Joyce Ebbage from Stockport * Eve Smith from Tanworth In Arden Jack Cullen & Henry from Liverpool LxGR, Derrick Harding from Wirral * Hazel Cross from Evesham

Jean Drinkwater & Kit from Stockport L, Hazel Evelyn Eyre from Barnsley * Karen Robbens from Leamington Spa Marcus Ellwand & Ozzie from Wirral L, Bruce Thomas Lunt from Macclesfield * Jeanette Hannon from Oldbury Stuart Hutcheson & Spencer from Chester L, Robert Sampson from Liverpool * Liz RussellYarde from Coventry Joyce Jones & Polly from Ellesmere Port GRxL, Claxton from Warrington * Janette Baines from Burton-on-Trent Sandra Massey & Jean from Chester L, Ann Green from Malpas * Andrew Starr from Devizes Julie Napier & Winston from Liverpool GRxL, Linda Williams from Liverpool * Sarah Mitchell from Stratfordupon-Avon

Daniel Seasman & Kane from Liverpool L, Lisa Jane Simms from Atherton, Lynn Nicholson from Bolton * Karen Robbens from Leamington Spa Sandra Taylor & Bessie from Liverpool LxGR, Doreen Taylor from Manchester * John Starkey from Malvern Marlene Tennent & Vann from Newton-leWillows L, Susan Flush from Wirral * Christine Smith from Kenilworth London Joy Addo & Faith from Roehampton LxL, Peter Sillett from Witham * Dawn Wood from Kenilworth Angela Armin & Unis from Essex STPxL, Susan Wilks from Slough * Rachel Cutler from Rugby Roy Benjamin & Ufton from Morden GSD, Rob & Valerie Sibley from Perth * Rachel Moxon from Stockton

Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

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New partnerships

New partnerships Shaun Burke & Rattie from Woodford Green LxGR, Elaine Cole from Colchester * Erica Dowse from Coventry

John Mathews & Nessie from Sidcup L, Jack Morris from Swanley * Victoria Milligan from Henley-in-Arden

David Steward & Unis from London STPxL, Paula Guy from Sittingbourne * Linda Brush from West Haddon

Derek Coughlan & Robson from Morden L, Penny Parker from Felixstowe * Clare Turton from Solihull

Thelma Mouque & Marley from London GRxL, Julie Ansell from Knebworth, Susan Brooker from Harpenden, Trish

Dawn Uffindell & Harry from Croydon L, Victoria Upton from Basildon, Pat Tuffs from Dartford, Myriam Steadman from Welling

Mary Cox & John from Wallington L, Geraldine and Peter Blackman from Chelmsford * Paul Rackham from Rugby

Hayley Johnson & Foxy from London GRxL, Susan Smalley from Ascot * Sarah Pagan from Leamington Spa

Sandra Bethell & Olwen from Sevenoaks L, Jeff Tremain from Tonbridge * Janice Briggs from Leamington Spa

Stephen Butler & Joy from Broadstairs GRxL, Toni Bradburn from St Albans * Rebecca Jackson from Kidderminster

David Griffith & Nyle from London GRxL, Madge Tierney from Huntingdon * Robert Jones from Rushden

Arnaldo Jesus & Elliot from London L, Kay Lowe from Ely * Rachel Davis from Kettering

Mark Bailey & Kit from Gravesend LxGSD, Suzanne Patrick from Rochester * Beryl Wyrko from Leicester

Nicola Broughton & Edward from Haywards Heath STPxL, Sheila George from Waltham Cross, Jacqueline Lodge from London * Linda Brush from West Haddon

Rosemary Everall & May from London GRxL, Trisha Wiggins-Browne from Huntingdon * Robert Jones from Rushden

Graham Hoppe & Jock from West Drayton LxGR, Rosemary Thompson from Witham * Mary Cheesman from Southam

Maidstone

Agnew from Stevenage, Vincent Phipps from Knebworth * Vanessa Jones from Rugby Usiomwanta Olanipekun & Saffie from London LxGR, Lorna Fryer from Ashford * Sally Barsby from Buckingham Kevin Satizabal & Pickles from London LxGR, Vivienne Hill from Waltham Abbey * Mary Cheesman from Southam

* Margaret Buckingham from Warwick David Whiting & Kez from London LxGSD, Barbara Halliwell from Hitchin, Lynda Graham from Harpenden, Jean Nield from Harpenden * Beryl Wyrko from Leicester Leyla Okekeogbu and Jasper from London L, Charlotte and Adele Marshall-Reynolds from Swindon, Joan McCann from Swindon, Tracy Burns from Newbury * Linda Sheehan from Sutton Coldfield

Alun Elder-Brown & Bonny from Tunbridge Wells LxGR, Jacqueline Everitt from Billericay, Annette Ashton from March * Joan Raxter from Redditch Kim Kirtley & Hugo from Ashford LxGR, Susan Brooker from Harpenden, Lynda Graham from Harpenden, Judy Blencowe from Hitchin * Joan Raxter from Redditch Jonathan Lee & Major from Tonbridge GRxL, Jim and Sue Bailey from Chelmsford * Sandra Hoffman from Coventry

The photos on these pages are illustrative only; they do not correspond to listed partnerships.

42 Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

Margaret Murray-Rowe & Imber from Swanscombe LxGR, Angela Lawton from Nottingham * Jane Innes from Stourbridge

Toel Koyithara & Sheba from Wigan L, Jason and Angela Mitchell from Halifax * Liz RussellYarde from Coventry

Darren Tambin & Hamish from Coxhoe LxGR, Mr and Mrs Begg from Dundee * Hazel Cross from Evesham

Patricia Poole & Zebedee from Deal LxGR, Kim Bassett from Andover, Elizabeth Macdonald from Wantage, Sharon Hagen from Wantage, Wendy Terry from Hungerford * Elizabeth Henry from Leamington Spa

Christine McVinnie & Kylie from Wigan GRxGSD, Sarah Richardson from Northallerton * Trudy Evans from Coventry

Dot Luck & Worthy from Stockton on Tees GRxL, Margaret Gibson from Ballater * Mrs Coughlan from Lutterworth

Carla Savage & Bracken from Tonbridge GR, Janette Caulfield from Halstead * Janet Evans from Warwick Manchester Joyce Acton & Hannah from Manchester GRxL, David John Laverick from York, J Pearson from York * Marie Court from Halesowen Jim Coulthard & Eddie from Darwen GRxL, Barbara Helen Cox from Warrington * Adrian Newitt from Leamington Spa

Joshua Seddon & Jack from Bolton GRxL, Kathryn Freeman from Derbyshire * Valerie Veness from Sutton Coldfield Alan Shannon & Rolo from Stockport GRxL, Lynda Dodds from Chester * Dawn Collins from Telford Alison Vas & Blake from Eccles L, Clive Ringrose from Newcastle Upon Tyne * Dawn Collins from Telford Kathleen Watson & Hattie from Rossendale LxGR, Margaret Reid from Stockton-on-Tees * Hazel Cross from Evesham Newcastle

David Halliwell & Zodiac from Wigan GSDxGR, Fred Barber from Inverurie * Mr and Mrs Simpson from Leamington Spa

Sheila Woodcock & Glenn from Darlington GRxL, Alana Ayres from Newtownards * Adrian Newitt from Leamington Spa Melissa Worster & Yaron from Wigton GRxL, David Jamieson from Dumfries * Mrs Field from Warwick Nottingham Gail Ashby & Robin from Derby L, Gillian Swift from Sheffield, Jean Robinson from Sheffield * Pat Stafford from Calverton Claire Cooper & Lilly from Nottingham GRxL, Deborah Broadbent from Thornton Cleveleys * John Allsopp from Leamington Spa

Jane Farren & Nell from Buxton GRxL, C Heap from Bedale * Dawson from Kenilworth Paul Grayson & Kenco from Ripley GRxGSD, Julie Jones from York * Trudy Evans from Coventry Tyler Henderson & Riley from Chesterfield L, Helen Robson from Leeds, Jeannie Stephenson from Northallerton * David Yarwood from Birmingham Rebecca Kinnis & Fifi from Doncaster LxL, Joanna Levey from Cramlington * Dawn Wood from Kenilworth Beverly Kitchin & Hannah from Sheffield GRxL, Louise Callaghan from Chorley, William Hunter from Leyland Timothy Musson & Frankie from Newark STPxL, Malcolm Moore from Sidcup * Rachel Cutler from Rugby

Deanna Fishwick & Truffles from GrangeOver-Sands L, Graeme Danskin from Edinburgh * Sheila Higgins from Milton Keynes

Fred Hernandez & Quincey from Manchester GRxL, Lizz Johnson from Leeds * Sue Price from Claverdon

Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

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New partnerships

New partnerships David Piggott & Ezra from Derby GRxL, Peter Simpson from Bury * Jason Webb from Birmingham Sally Spowage & Winnie from Nottingham L, Lorraine Meehan from Wetherby * Dawn Collins from Telford Bill Stacey & Robbie from Nottingham L, Melanie Briggs from Sheffield * MarieClaire Montgomery from Leamington Spa Stephen Wood & Wizard from Derby GRxGSD, Theresa Chandler from Newcastle Upon Tyne * Julia Evans from Bromsgrove Peterborough Carolyn Allum & Ally from Ipswich LxGR, Sara Dixon from London * Erica Dowse from Coventry

Clare Simmons & Alexis from Norwich GRxL, Judy Blencowe from Hitchin, Jean Nield from Harpenden, Lynda Graham from Harpenden, Susan Brooker from Harpenden * Helen Bonnett from Leigh Lisa Smith & Unity from Great Yarmouth STPxL, Maxine Bloom from Billericay * Linda Brush from West Haddon Spencer Westhorpe & Floss from Norwich L, Emma Evanson from Chelmsford * Sheila Coton from Birmingham Reading Leesa Crockett & Barley from High Wycombe LxGR, Tessa Kirkwood from Cambridge * Joan Raxter from Redditch

Georgina Chambers & Luci from Lowestoft L, Sarah Buckland from Colchester * Gordon Macrae from Over Norton

Wendy Hulford & Pippa from Redhill GRxL, Lorraine Kennedy from Banstead * Eve Smith from Tanworth In Arden

Malgorzata Galbarczyk & Bob from Birmingham GRxL, Peter and Susan Revitt from Sheffield * Dawn Collins from Telford

Tina Shallis & Amber from Chichester LxGR, Philippa Bushe from London * Erica Dowse from Coventry

Danny Gleeson & Dylan from Wolverhampton GRxL, Alison Wright from Warrington * Clare Shortt from Kidderminster

Isobel Walker & Jodie from Esher L, Carey Timms from Swindon, Joan McCann from Swindon, Fiona Lazenby from Swindon * Linda Sheehan from Sutton Coldfield

George Higginson & Barney from Newcastle L, Joyce Williams from Heanor * Dee Moloney from Leamington Spa

Alison Wallduck & Gini from Milton Keynes GRxL, Karen Read from Ashford * John Marchant from Milton Keynes Tarik Zaid & Fagan from Redhill GRxL, Colin Carn from Plymouth, Valerie Lurcock from Newton Abbot * Sarah Pagan from Leamington Spa Shrewsbury Philip Anderson & Quinta from Newcastle L, Brian Holloway from Congleton * Linda Morris from Stratford-upon-Avon

Anne Frith & Paul from Beccles LxGR, Kathy Minter from Colchester * Mr and Mrs Davies from Telford Marion Mansfield & Gus from Cambridge GRxL, Diana Reynolds from Cambridge * Alison Ashley from Daventry

Shirley Fitall & Nola from Epsom GRxL, Linda Fleming from Erith * Robert Jones from Rushden

Piers Nummelin & Willow from Bury St Edmunds LxGR, Ruth Savage from Peterborough * Anna Adams from Daventry

John Griffiths & George from Chichester GRxL, Bob Waldock from Benfleet * John Marchant from Milton Keynes

44 Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

Leslie Bloomfield & Millie from Tamworth LxGR, Julia Rodwell from Milton Keynes * Tracey Wilkinson from Telford Rex Bowers & Isca from Telford L, Ian Lister from Hartlepool * Jeanette Hannon from Oldbury Pauline Dunn & Guiness from Stoke-on-Trent L, Hilary Battersby from Preston * Ruth Mercer from Warwick

Richard Lyons & Yannis from Stoke-onTrent LxGR, Philippa Skinner from Wirral * Alison Morton from Leamington Spa Nathan Marsh & Gibson from Wollaston L, Seema Chauhan from Nottingham * Ruth Mercer from Warwick Alex Stitt & Questa from Oldbury GRxL, Christine Rimmer from Oldham * Sue Price from Claverdon Lisa Wharton & Orla from Kingswinford GRxL, Karen Wardle from Ashton-UnderLyne * Rebecca Leat from Towcester Southampton Iris Burton-Cave & Upton from Christchurch LxGR, Claire Kendall from Worcester, Daniel Rowe from Warwick * John Starkey from Malvern Vivian Harman & Mortimer from Swindon GRxL, Lee Blanning from Pontypool * Barbara Swain from Leamington Spa

Sam Hebditch & Oakley from Wimborne L, Kathleen Kelly from Tamworth * Janice Briggs from Leamington Spa Jaime Home & Simpson from Southampton L, Michelle Cooke from Milton Keynes * Jacki Boyle from Telford Rex Johnson & Zak from Wareham GRxL, Pam Truman from Solihull * Ruth Philpott from Malvern Kevin Kitching & Ashleigh from Petersfield GSD, Keith Lyon from Walsall * Mr and Mrs Tindall from Coventry

Annette Newell & Sheena from Eastleigh GRxFCR, Michael Clifford from Neath * John Rogers from Bromsgrove Peter Reynolds & Tony from Ryde GRxL, Debbie Johnson from Hitchin, Vincent Phipps from Knebworth, Anne Lloyd from Welwyn, Malcolm Howard from Wheathampstead * Phil Revill from Southam

GRxL, Diane Godfrey from Holcombe * Sarah Pagan from Leamington Spa Welwyn Garden City Kevin Cook & Danny from Southend On Sea L, Guy William Cresswell from Clwyd, Lynda Dodds from Chester * Ellen Summerton from Leamington Spa

Sea LxGSD, Lynne Dakin from Woodford Green, Julia Wright from Romford * Beryl Wyrko from Leicester Joan Roberts & Zara from North Walsham GRxL, Judy Cockburn from Chelmsford * Ruth Philpott from Malvern

Ann Simmons & Betty from Southampton L, Cheryl Williams from Higham Ferrers * Gordon Macrae from Over Norton

Jan Goniszewski & Jeaves from Rickmansworth GRxL, Elizabeth Greenaway from Wickford * Caroline Lyons from Nuneaton

Josephine Spears & Fizz from Swindon

Claire Maxwell & Kim from Southend-on-

Folly * 03.09.13 * L * Bitch * Mrs J Jennison from Warwick * Mrs V Brown from Northallerton

Layla * 30.07.13 * GR * Bitch * Mrs EA Morris from Tamworth * Mr J Wright from Bridport

Pip * 30.07.13 * GR * Bitch * Mrs R Cardo from Kingswinford * Mrs MP Prow from Newton Abbot

Inky * 15.08.13 * L * Bitch * Ms J Macqueen from Fenny Compton * Mrs R Beddoes from Perth

Lisa * 07.06.13 * GR * Bitch * Mrs EA Morris from Tamworth * Miss G Saunders from Dartford

Todd * 12.06.13 * L * Stud * Mr & Mrs Wood from Leicester * Mr G Horton from Dundee

Jodi * 12.06.13 * L * Bitch * Ms D Collins from Telford * Mrs M Evered from Bromley

Maisie * 30.07.13 * GR * Bitch * Mrs M Court from Halesowen * Mrs EG Gilbert from Banchory

Verity * 30.07.13 * L * Bitch * Outside Bred * Donated Dog

Joy * 07.06.13 * GR * Bitch * Mrs R Cardo from Kingswinford * Mrs G Holmes from Princes Risborough

Maple * 12.06.13 * GR * Bitch * Mrs P Kimmins from Birmingham * Mr & Mrs P Willis from Arbroath

Breeding Stock Abbey * 25.09.13 * GR * Bitch * Mrs S Burgess from Buckingham * Mrs G Blackman from Chelmsford Abby * 15.08.13 * GR * Bitch * Mr & Mrs J Roberts from Brackley * Mrs A Nuttall from Redditch Apple * 12.06.13 * L * Bitch * Outside Bred * Doctor F Crichton from Laurieston, Mr DA Smith from Bridge Of Don Casey * 25.09.13 * GR * Bitch * Mrs S Burgess from Buckingham * Mrs M Hubbard from Bexleyheath, Mrs J Fortnum from West Malling Fizz * 15.08.13 * L * Bitch * Mrs J Jennison from Warwick * Mrs S Watt from Maud, Mr & Mrs A Bibb from Aberdeen

Kath * 06.06.13 * L * Bitch * Ms D Collins from Telford * Mr E Blundell from Clacton-on-Sea Kurt * 25.09.13 * GSD * Stud * Mrs J Evans from Bromsgrove * Mrs S Buckland from Colchester

Marie * 07.06.13 * GR * Bitch * Mrs M Court from Halesowen * Mr MH Hoskins from Prenton

Willow * 12.06.13 * L * Bitch * Ms D Collins from Telford * Mr D Rees from Swansea Yana * 13.09.13 * L * Bitch * Mrs S Hoffman from Coventry * Mrs H Mander-Callaby from Royston

Maya * 15.08.13 * L * Bitch * Mr P Revill from Southam * Mr A Kemp from Glasgow

Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

45

Letters and caption competition

I’ve had my guide dog Hattie since 2012 and we’re off to Buckinghamshire to start university so we’ve been visiting a few of Hattie’s

favourite places. I shared some photos of Hattie on Facebook for family and friends but also her puppy walker family like to know what she’s up to so I thought I’d send some to Forward. Becky Clarke

I wanted to share something which made my husband and me very proud of my guide dog, Kashmir. Last year we attended the charity opening night for Zizzi’s restaurant in Reading. A young man introduced himself and said he’d met Kashmir and me on the Guide Dogs stall in nearby Wokingham. He wanted us to know that, from that meeting, he and his partner had decided to sponsor a puppy and also that he now works for Guide Dogs. So Kashmir not only changed my life but also that of a lovely young man! Jenny Pape

Association and one of the first people to have a retinal implant. The implant is in its early stages and, while it gives Tim some artificial vision, it doesn’t restore his sight, so Violet is still by his side.

Caption competition Thanks to Dumfries puppy walker Helen Denholm for sending in this picture (left) of pup Nushka helping out in the garden. What do you think is going through Nushka’s mind? Please send your caption idea on a postcard to Forward, Guide Dogs, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG, or email [email protected]. Remember to include your name and address. The winner will receive a £10 Marks and Spencer voucher. The winner of the last caption competition was Ian Noble with: “I get all my toys online these days.” Congratulations, Ian – we hope you enjoy your voucher. Partnerships quiz Thank you for entering our autumn quiz. The winner was Paula Pinder, who wins a £10 Marks and Spencer voucher. Competition rules

The competitions are open to anyone resident in the UK, except employees of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, their families and anyone connected with the competition. No purchase necessary. Proof of posting cannot be accepted as proof of delivery. No responsibility can be accepted for entries delayed, damaged or mislaid or wrongly delivered. Illegible entries will be disqualified. Only one original entry is allowed per envelope.

46 Forward Magazine | Spring 2014

Name a Puppy Change a Life

We thought you’d like to see this picture of guide dog owner Tim Reddish OBE and his dog Violet meeting Princess Anne. Tim is Chairman of the British Paralympic

Correct answers: 1 Toto, 2 Boo-Boo, 3 Dick Dastardly, 4 Batman, 5 Scrappy Doo The winners will be notified by either post or telephone and the results will be published in the next issue of the magazine. The winners must agree to the publication of their names, photographs and any publicity, if requested. In all matters concerning the competitions the Editor’s decision is final. No correspondence can be entered into. Entry implies acceptance of the rules. The closing date for these competitions is 14 March 2014.

Image courtesy of Designcat photography

Letters

What will you call yours? Puppy sponsorship packages from £2,500 – £50,000 (plus VAT) Our puppy sponsorship packages make perfect business sense! Not only can you use the benefits of your sponsorship to communicate and engage with your customers, your employees will love it too! Contact us on 0118 983 8208 for further details.

What is included? Package Name Birth Regular Name the pup Certificate Updates 0-12 months Donate a Name £2.5k Walk £7.5k Learn £10k Guide* £50k

Regular Annual Number Number Updates Updates of of visits 12-20 Yrs 3 & 4 photos months 1

0

2

1

3

2

3+

3+

*Additional benefits can be negotiated by your account manager for the Guide sponsorship package. Registered charity in England and Wales (209617) and in Scotland (SC038979) 6063 12/13

Show the ones you love that you’re

Your pooch or your partner?

thinking of them this Valentine’s Day with a gift from Dogalogue.

Who’ll be your Valentine?

Special introductory price Heart shaped cheese £18.99 400g

Heart shaped scarf hanger

Raw hide dog Valentine’s card

Code: 14900

£3.99 Code: 14300

£6.99 Code: 14700

Our best-selling butterfly scarf hanger gets the romantic treatment - in a gorgeous heart shape, it will keep all of her scarves neatly stored.

Make your doggy’s day with this delicious raw hide card – comes complete with envelope so you can send it in the post.

This is most certainly not a cheesy gift, but one that will make sure you win your chosen one’s heart. This heart-shaped cheddar truckle comes delivered in a specially designed box to ensure it tastes absolutely delicious when the lucky recipient opens it.

Please quote D14001101 or indicate you saw this advert in Forward when ordering

Visit dogalogue.com or call 0845 371 1371 100% of profits go to Guide Dogs. Visit dogalogue.com to see our range of gifts, stationery, homewares and pet products and to request a copy of our new catalogue (due out March 2014).