Sun Herald City2Surf
22 July, 2010
Run for Guide Dogs in City2Surf and help people with
impaired vision
As a charity that is totally reliant on community support,
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is urging Sydneysiders to pull on their runners for this year's
City2Surf and raise money to help people with impaired vision.
Eastwood's Martin Z'graggen is among those doing just this. Except his motivation for
participating is to give something back to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT for the help he has
received since losing his sight to glaucoma five years ago when he was just 38.
A renowned international chef at the time, Martin's world came to a crashing halt with his
vision loss. But Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has helped to turn that around, through providing
skills and a Guide Dog, Kaylah, that have enabled him to maintain as independent a
lifestyle as possible.
While he no longer works as a chef, Martin helps others to learn the trade as a part-time
TAFE teacher in commercial cookery and hospitality management.
"Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has provided me with excellent services and has given me so
much," said Martin, whose fund raising target is $1000. "I am hoping that by walking the
City2Surf I can give something back."
Martin encourages others to do the City2Surf, if not to fund raise then for exercise - as a
Guide Dog user he probably walks more than most and knows the value of a healthy,
active lifestyle. A Guide Dog walks approximately 9000 kilometres throughout its eight
to10 year working life.
It costs around $30,000 to raise and train a Guide Dog
like Kaylah. While Guide Dogs NSW/ACT provides Guide Dogs and all its services for
free, it receives no government funding.
"We hope Sydneysiders will get behind Guide Dogs NSW/ACT in the City2Surf and help
us to continue to provide our vital services to Martin and other people with impaired
vision," said Alex Green, Fund Raising Manager for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
"For instance, every $250 raised enables us to buy a harness and handle for a working
Guide Dog, while every $1000 raised buys a cute pedigree puppy who will one-day
become a life-changing Guide Dog."
In NSW and the ACT, there are approximately 170,000 people1 with a vision impairment
severe enough to cause problems with daily living, with this figure expected to double in
the next 20 years2.
As well as Guide Dogs, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT provides canes, low vision aids,
electronic devices and mobility programs tailored to suit individual needs.
To run for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT in the City2Surf, visit www.everydayhero.com.au
and choose Guide Dogs NSW/ACT as your charity, or contact Sue Pick on 02 9412
9326. To support Martin Z'graggen, visit
www.everydayhero.com.au/family_zgraggen.
Anyone fundraising for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT can relax after the race with refreshments
and a massage in the organisation's tent on Bondi Beach.
Media: For interviews or more information please contact Sally Edgar, Public Relations
Co-ordinator, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT on 0413 753 241 or media@guidedogs.com.au.
References:
1. Australian Bureau of Statistics, National Health Survey 2007/2008
2. Centre for Eye Research Australia, Clear Insight 2004