FORWARD: Spring 2011.
Guide Dogs presents the Spring 2011 issue of Forward, the quarterly magazine of
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
Introduction
This document contains every part of the print version of Forward, and in the same
order as that used in the print edition.
FORWARD
Spring 2011
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Keeping it in the family
Husband bequeaths guide dog to wife
Mastering the arts
How three visually impaired people have discovered the joy of painting
Generation i
Find out how guide dog owners can utilise phone technology.
Inside this issue
Overseas Challenge
Vision for Equality
National Breeding centre
A day in the life
Government cuts
Sighted Guiding
contents
The Team
A list of everyone who’s involved with putting this magazine together, plus our
contact details.
Regulars - Richard’s welcome
Regulars - News
Sighted Guiding – how we aim to counter social isolation
Regulars - A day in the life of…
Online Development Manager, Jenifer Davis
People - Richard’s message
Features - Vision for Equality
How the conference held in January is helping us shape an inclusive society for
people with sight loss
Features - National Breeding Centre
As completion draws near, an update on the progress of the new centre
Features - Putting brush to canvas
Introducing three artists who have managed to overcome the effects of their sight
loss with their love for painting
Features - Overseas challenge
Crossing three continents, Ryan Davis and Rebecca Holliday raise funds for Guide
Dogs by cycling to New Zealand
Features - Keeping it in the family
Meet Jenny Mitchinson, who trained with her late husband’s guide dog Foster
Features - Guide Dogs goes techno
How new phone technology can assist both dog walkers and guide dog owners
People - Thank you to our supporters
Regulars - Competitions
Regulars - In good company
Regulars - What’s on?
People - We’ll never forget
People - Letters
People - In memory
Regulars - Promotions
A roundup of the promotional features that are listed in different locations in
the print version of this issue of Forward.
People - New partnerships
Regulars - Contact Details
List of phone numbers and contact details arising from the articles in this
edition of Forward Magazine.
The team
Editor: Audra Dutton
Editorial Line: 0118 9838266
Founding Editor: The late Captain Nikolai Liakhoff MBE FRZS
Obituaries: Elaine Cobb
Contributors: Lucy Miron, Eifion Rees, Lorna Catling, Nikki Malin, Annabel
Williams, Elaine Cobb, James Kell, Caroline Shields, Matt Fowler
Designed by: Taurus
www.taurus-solutions.co.uk
Published by: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Contributions: We reserve the right to edit or refuse. Send items to Forward at
the Head Office address or e-mail forward@guidedogs.org.uk. We cannot acknowledge
every item sent. Forward is available in Braille, large print, audio CD, and as an
e-mail attachment. It is also available as a PDF from our website and in a range
of languages – call 0118 9838138. For mailing enquiries, call 0118 9838138.
Registered Head Office:
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading
RG7 3YG
Tel: 0118 9835555
Fax: 0118 9835433
www.guidedogs.org.uk
E-mail: guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk
(Copyright) 2011 Registered charity in England and Wales (209617) and in Scotland
(SCO38979).
recycle
Please recycle this magazine.
On the front cover there is a photograph of Jenny Mitchinson and her guide dog
Foster. Jenny is bending down next to Foster. Jenny who has short grey hair is
wearing a dark red coat and a white scarf, Foster is a black Labrador and is
wearing his high visibility working harness. Both Jenny and Foster are looking to
the left of the camera.
The main caption on the cover reads: “Keeping it in the family - Husband bequeaths
guide dog to wife”.
Other captions on the cover read: “Mastering the arts - How three visually
impaired people discovered the joy of painting” and “Generation i - Find out how
guide dog owners can utilise phone technology”.
Running along the foot of the page is a large blue box within the box, it reads:
“Inside this issue – Overseas Challenge, Vision for Equality, National Breeding
centre, A day in the life, Government cuts and Sighted Guiding” To the left of the
text there is an image of an iphone with the Guides app up on the screen. On the
right of the text there is the Guide Dogs logo in yellow.
Guide Dog of the Year 2011
All guide dogs are special, and do an amazing job each and every day. But
sometimes a dog does something so exceptional, or changes someone’s life in such a
radical way, that they deserve particular recognition – and this is why we have
our annual Guide Dog of the Year Awards. This year’s Guide Dog of the Year will
take place in June, which is earlier than in previous years but gives us the
opportunity to keep it separate from other autumnal events. The closing date for
nominations is 25 March 2011.
Award categories:
Beyond the Call of Duty – for dogs that have performed a heroic act, or helped
their owner avoid a dangerous situation.
Life Changing – for dogs that have transformed lives by giving their owners the
mobility and confidence to take on a new challenge; for example going to work each
day, trying a new hobby…or something completely different.
Outstanding Work – for dogs whose work is exceptional; for example, adapting to a
new environment or circumstances or mastering complex skills.
Guide Dogs’ panel of judges will consider the entries carefully and select the top
dog in each category, before naming the overall winner of Guide Dog of the Year
2011.
You can submit your nomination using the online form at
www.guidedogs.org.uk/awards, or by writing (maximum 500 words) to Forward, Guide
Dogs, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, RG7 3YG or by e-mailing
forward@guidedogs.org.uk. Nominated dogs must be qualified guide dogs who are
expected still to be working in June.
Please tell us which category you are nominating the dog for, and why. Don’t
forget to include your name, address and phone number, and the name of the guide
dog and owner (if it is not you). If you need help completing your nomination
form, please call Elaine Cobb on 0118 9838364.
For full terms and conditions of Guide Dog of the Year 2011, please visit
www.guidedogs.org.uk.
At the foot of this article there is an image of a fluffy black Labrador wearing
its high visibility working harness. The dog is looking up towards the top of the
page.
Richard’s welcome
Welcome to the Spring issue of Forward, which heralds the start of a very exciting
year for Guide Dogs. Not only are we celebrating the 80th anniversary of the first
four guide dogs being trained and qualified in the UK but we are also looking
forward to the next 80 years, and beyond
While we continue to develop the guide dog service – and you only have to read the
feature on Jenny Mitchinson and guide dog Foster to understand the true value of
that service – this year will see the start of other initiatives so that we can
reach out to more blind and partially sighted people. Key to that is collaboration
– for example we are working with Visionary, the umbrella organisation for local
sight loss groups, to deliver the innovative Sighted Guide scheme. This aims to
alleviate the isolation felt by many blind and partially sighted people by
training volunteers as sighted guides, who will help them get out and into their
local community.
Speaking of collaboration, the Vision for Equality conference in January brought
together over 200 people from within the sector to focus on how we can shape and
enhance inclusion, participation and independence for people with sight loss. Not
only did Guide Dogs host the conference but it was my privilege to co-chair the
event – and it just served to reinforce the immense importance of what the charity
is aiming to achieve.
A very different occasion but the stonelaying ceremony at Guide Dogs’ new National
Breeding Centre last November gave me the opportunity to meet two volunteer puppy
walkers who between them have walked more than 90 puppies – an astounding figure!
Their dedication and commitment, and that of all our supporters, volunteers and
donors, have helped build the charity into an organisation of which we can be
justly proud.
We are now entering a period of intense change as we look at ways of increasing
public awareness, review our values and how we present ourselves and how we can
better meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people. I am confident that
we will meet those challenges and I would like to thank all of you for supporting
Guide Dogs, both now and in the future.
Richard Leaman is pictured at the top of the page; he has short black and grey
hair. Richard is wearing a light blue shirt under a dark blue suit jacket with a
dark blue tie and is smiling into the camera.
News
Sighted Guiding service to counter social isolation
Thousands more blind and partially sighted people will be able to get out and
about thanks to a new partnership scheme initiated by Guide Dogs.
Thousands more blind and partially sighted people will be able to get out and
about thanks to a new partnership service initiated by Guide Dogs.
Guide Dogs is investing £500,000 in the scheme and is working closely with
Visionary, the umbrella organisation for local sight loss groups, to train
volunteers to help blind and partially sighted people get out of their homes to
access community activities such as shopping or attending a club and to meet new
people.
The service is aimed at the most isolated blind and partially sighted people, and
is designed to help them to re-engage with their community and rebuild their
confidence. It is hoped that re-engaging with the community will give previously
isolated blind and partially sighted people the confidence to take the next step
on the journey towards independence, possibly by becoming a long cane user or a
guide dog owner.
To reach as many of these people as possible, Guide
with organisations in the vision impairment sector,
the creation of a quality standard for the training
deliver the service, which is being trialled in six
nationally.
Dogs is working in partnership
to develop, endorse (including
of the sighted guides) and
areas before being rolled out
Included within this article there is a photograph of a blind lady with a fawn
coloured guide dog walking down a small flight of stairs. The lady is also being
assisted by a member of the Guide Dogs staff.
Update your Will for free
With the success of the Free Wills Month last October, Guide Dogs is offering
supporters in 10 areas of the UK (Blackpool, Darlington, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
York, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Eastbourne, Twickenham and Slough), the opportunity
to take part in March’s Free Wills scheme, which enables supporters to have a
simple Will written or updated for free – with no obligation to include Guide
Dogs. All you need to do is contact a participating solicitor during March to make
an appointment and be aged over 55 to qualify.
Free Wills Month is a great opportunity to make sure that your assets will go to
those you care about most. Any gift, however large or small, that you feel able to
make to Guide Dogs after your loved ones are taken care of, will help us continue
providing freedom and independence to thousands of blind and partially sighted
people across the UK. To find a solicitor participating in the Free Wills scheme
this March, please call 0845 0204309 or visit www.freewillsmonth.org.uk
ID cards on their way
We will soon be issuing ID cards to all staff, and will then begin to do the same
for volunteers.
ID cards will help us to improve security and access to our sites and clearly
identify Guide Dogs staff and volunteers. The cards will also help safeguard our
clients and the public from people posing as representatives of the charity. Staff
can be easily identified when working in a public place, for example when training
a guide dog with their new owner. The same goes for volunteers, who are
increasingly being asked to identify themselves, for example when using public
transport with their puppies, speaking in schools or collecting donations.
If you would like to find out more, please visit our website or e-mail
idcards@guidedogs.org.uk
New Director of External Affairs
With big changes ahead for Guide Dogs, Simon Malcolm, our new Director of External
Affairs – responsible for communications, campaigning and marketing, joins us at
an exciting time.
Simon started his career as a journalist before developing his expertise within
marketing and communications. Recent roles have included Group Head of E-Commerce
with Otto UK Homeshopping, Marketing Director for the Rugby Football League and
Managing Director with Leeds-based communications consultancy Words & Pictures.
Simon also brings invaluable skills in areas such as brand management, media
relations and working with volunteers.
Simon explains: “We are refreshing our Guide Dogs brand as part of the overall reshaping of the charity to meet the new challenges faced by blind and partially
sighted people today. I’ve no doubt that the exciting work we are undertaking will
get everyone talking about Guide Dogs again, and help us to connect with more
fundraisers, volunteers and the people who matter most – our clients.”
Simon Malcolm, Director of External Affairs is photographed at the start of this
article; Simon who has short brown hair is wearing a navy blue suit jacket over a
pale pink shirt. Simon is pictured outside in front of a leafy green shrub.
Disabled benefit reforms could be costly
The Government is planning to reform the state benefit Disability Living Allowance
(DLA), which could have a devastating impact on the lives of many disabled people,
including those who are blind or partially sighted.
DLA was introduced to help disabled people meet the higher costs of living
associated with health conditions and impairments. It has two components – one to
help with personal care needs and the other with mobility. However, the Government
is planning to cut DLA expenditure by 20 per cent and introduce a new assessment
process, as well as making other changes.
Guide Dogs is working with colleagues across the visual impairment sector,
including RNIB and Sense, to campaign against these proposed changes.
If you would like to get involved with our campaign, please visit
www.guidedogs.org.uk/campaigns, call 0800 284348 or e-mail
campaigns@guidedogs.org.uk
Guide dog Wallis helps Heather to an award
It was during the student protests in London in December that adult education
tutor Heather Melandri-Street, from Norfolk, travelled to the House of Commons to
receive an Institute for Learning teaching award. Wallis is her first guide dog,
and only two years old, but together they negotiated the streets safely. “There
were police and horses and noise but she sorted me out and never panicked,”
Heather explained.
Brothers in arms
Three guide dog brothers who graduated from the same class have been paired up
with their new owners.
German shepherds Griff and Guy, and their half brother Harper were much in demand
having been put through their paces by the District Team in Stokesley near
Middlesborough.
But the trio, known as the Barks Brothers, have now been partnered with owners
David Pickering, Hemsley Mallaby, and Ken Harris, all of whom had to say goodbye
to their previous German shepherd pals in sad circumstances.
Guide Dog Mobility Instructor at Stokesley, Linda Gooding said: “We have a
national waiting list for them so we were exceptionally lucky to get three for
these gentlemen. It was particularly tragic because of their three previous German
shepherds, one died very suddenly, one had a terminal illness and the other we
discovered had epilepsy and couldn’t work, so we were delighted that these three
were available.”
The brothers have settled in extremely well with David, Hemsley and Ken, and Linda
said: “Griff is very laid back but Guy is more like the younger brother, bright
and very vocal! Harper came to us from Belfast and is a little bit older than the
other two.”
German shepherds have certain traits which mean guide dog owners frequently
develop an affinity with them. Linda said: “They don’t suit everybody but those
who suit a shepherd like to stick with the breed.”
Pictured at the start of this article are the three guide dog brothers, Guy, Griff
and Harper. The brothers are sitting patiently in a line outside in the snow.
Pups go to work
Last year Guide Dogs’ Puppy Walking Department ran an exciting study involving
staff to assess whether we can place puppies in the work place for their puppy
walking. Guide Dogs’ strategic aim is to expand the guide dog service – which
means more puppies and, therefore, more puppy walkers. If we can recruit
volunteers who are in employment, we can increase the potential number of suitable
puppy walkers, as well as giving us opportunities to promote our work and raise
additional funds.
The staff involved took their puppy to work with them and, in all cases, the
puppies progressed in line with others raised in home environments. As
importantly, neither the staff, their colleagues or their managers felt there was
an impact on their work overall, although there was some disruption in the first
three months.
Puppy walking in the work place will now be rolled out to some selected external
companies during 2011.
To find out more, please contact Richard Huggins on 07717 815570.
At the foot of this article is a photograph of Guide Dog puppy Usef in the office.
Usef is a fawn coloured Labrador who has been photograph whilst asleep; he is
lying on a mat, with a toy lying next to him.
Facebook snowballs
An unprecedented number of new friends joined Guide Dogs’ Facebook page during
December. The trend started with the heavy outbreak of snow and lots of guide dog
owners, puppy walkers and other supporters sent us photos of their pooches having
fun during the cold snap. Thank you to those of you who left over 3,000 comments
and “likes” on our photos as they helped to spread the word about Guide Dogs’
work.
We plan on asking you for more photos on a variety of themes throughout the year –
sign up to “like” us at www.facebook.com/guidedogsuk to hear our latest news and
find out when we’re searching for extra photos.
A New Year’s honour for Jill
Jill Allen-King MBE, from Westcliff-on-Sea, has received her second honour from
the Queen. Having been a guide dog owner since 1971, Jill was appointed Member of
the British Empire in 1983 for her tireless campaigning to improve access for
guide dog owners.
In the recent New Year’s honours list, she was appointed OBE (Order of the British
Empire) for services to blind and partially sighted people in both the UK and
Europe.
Guide Dogs Fun Days
Providing an opportunity to learn more about its work and assert its plans for the
future, Guide Dogs is holding a series of nine events around the country where you
can meet the staff, chat to Trustees and senior management, see lots of guide dogs
and even enter the go walkies challenge and help raise much needed funds.
The events vary in size with some having displays, entertainment and stalls, but
all of them are totally free to attend and promise to be a great fun day out for
all of the family.
For more information about an event near you, refer to the “What’s On” section or
visit our website www.guidedogs.org.uk
EU agrees new rights to benefit disabled and older bus passengers
Disabled people and those with mobility problems across the European Union have
won important new rights to travel on buses and coaches. UK charities are
celebrating this success after a strong campaign led in this country by the Royal
National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Sense, Age UK, Leonard Cheshire
Disability, Radar, Royal National Institute of Deaf People (RNID) and Guide Dogs.
Key gains for disabled and older people include accessible travel information both
before and during the journey, mandatory disability awareness training for all
drivers and a right to compensation for damaged wheelchairs or other assistive
equipment. In addition, information about passenger rights will become available
in terminals and online.
Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg approved this regulation, which
will come into force in 2013. Importantly they will apply to all journeys,
including local bus services.
The European Parliament vote follows the approval of the text on 31 January 2011
by EU governments, including the UK government.
This new EU law will benefit people in the UK who use local buses and will provide
access to a better service from drivers, who will now receive mandatory disability
training.
Sue Sharp, Head of Public Policy and Campaigns at Guide Dogs, says: “Disabled
people rely on bus services more than non-disabled people. This regulation will
make a real difference by making those journeys easier and less stressful. We are
delighted at the support of MEP’s in helping to secure these important changes for
disabled people across Europe.”
“Guide Dogs Could Change Your Life” DVD
Available now for both prospective guide dog owners and partner organisations, is
the “Guide Dogs Could Change Your Life” DVD.
Providing an overview of how to apply for a guide dog, the concise 12-minute film
presents information about Guide Dogs and explains in detail the application
process through a series of potential clients. It also describes the three-step
process that shows how Guide Dogs works with clients in assessing their vision and
mobility.
If you require further information or would like a copy of the DVD, please e-mail
hannah.vickers@guidedogs.org.uk / jackie.brookes@guidedogs.org.uk. The DVD is also
available in Welsh, Punjabi, Urdu, Gujarati, BSL Signed and English Signed.
A day in the life of...
Online Development Manager Jenifer Davis has been working for Guide Dogs for four
months, based at Head Office at Hillfields
The Online Development Manager is responsible for developing Guide Dogs digital
communications through the Guide Dogs website, social media sites and the
volunteer extranet.
I wake at 6am, have a cup of tea and get my daughters up and ready for school. I
check my e-mails and the Guide Dogs Twitter and Facebook accounts for anything
urgent – we often get enquiries about how to apply for a guide dog, for example.
I get to work by 8am, which is the best hour of the day to get your head down and
focus on work, before many people are in.
At 9am I meet with the web editor and web coordinator to prioritise the email
requests we’ve received for work on the website. It has 2,000 pages and there are
always new projects coming in.
This could include the setting up of an ipadio (audio blog) link for a fundraising
couple who are cycling around the world, which allows them to record their blog
over the phone from anywhere on the planet or a Guide Dogs video podcast – the
goal is to make the site richer by introducing more multimedia.
Before lunch I’ll upload the latest Taking the Lead blog –
www.guidedogs.org.uk/blog. Guide Dogs’ Chief Executive Richard Leaman wrote the
first and it’s a really exciting project.
Lunch is usually a sandwich at my desk, catching up on e-mails – they never stop!
At 1pm I may have a suppliers’ meeting to discuss reorganising the online image
library. It’s a great resource, and we’re exploring how the whole organisation can
get the best out of it.
I also attend our regular strategy meetings which ensure the communications team
as a whole is on the same page – and because digital communication is vital across
the organisation, I’ll attend other departments’ meetings too!
I leave work at 4.30pm to pick my girls up from the childminder. After I’ve made
them dinner and taken them to swimming club, I log back on to check on Facebook
and Twitter – if someone wants to volunteer or get information it’s important to
put them in touch with the right people as quickly as possible.
In the evenings I spend time with the family and do some work for a charity I
volunteer with. Arcaid works to relieve poverty overseas, and we’ve already helped
provide an African hospital with clean water and put many Indian children through
school.
I’m usually in bed by 11.30pm, after another challenging but positive day. It’s an
exciting time for Guide Dogs, and I’m enjoying being part of the drive towards
creating a richer online experience for our users.
Included at the start of this article is a photograph of Jenifer Davis. Jenifer
has been photographed standing in front of a projection of the Guide Dogs Facebook
page. Jenifer has shoulder-length brown hair and is smiling and looking down at
the camera.
Richard’s message
Getting ready for the next 80 years
80 years ago two British women succeeded in delivering a novel and curious concept
from abroad. They had heard about so-called “seeing eye” dogs who were able to
guide a blind person safely while they were out and about. Thanks to the tenacity
and dedication of these two women, the first four guide dogs were fully trained in
1931 and ready to take their owners where they needed to be.
When Miss Muriel Crooke and Mrs Rosamund Bond first chanced upon the idea I am
sure they would never have dared to hope for the success story that Guide Dogs in
the UK has become. 80 years on from those first four partnerships more than 21,000
blind and partially sighted people in the UK have got outside and played a full
part in society thanks to their guide dogs. We have a breeding and dog welfare
programme which is the envy of the world. We have dedicated and skilled staff and
determined and generous volunteers. Miss Crooke and Mrs Bond would be overwhelmed
by what they would see at Guide Dogs today.
The legacy they have left us is a precious one that must continue to grow and
prosper. Having the power to help blind and partially sighted people achieve the
same freedom of movement as everyone else is an incredible privilege and, not
surprisingly, we are hungry to do more.
Breeding centre
We are investing in our guide dogs with a state-of-the-art breeding centre which
means we can produce more puppies and achieve our goal of hundreds more
partnerships over the next decade. But this is not enough and we need to do
something else to help blind and partially sighted people get out and about.
Miss Crooke and Mrs Bond started a revolution for blind people in the UK and now,
in our 80th anniversary year, we are going to start to grow our service to include
new and evolving services to help people get moving.
I am incredibly excited by the Sighted Guide service which should help thousands
of people get out into their community and we are working with partners like
Google to develop innovative technology which will guide people as they walk
around a city’s streets – something that may have been laughed off as science
fiction whimsy in 1931.
The future holds some exciting opportunities for us – some we know about and some
we can’t even imagine. We need to adapt so we can survive and thrive for at least
another 80 years and grasp these opportunities as they come along – or even make
them happen.
I have created a new team
the future. Over the next
we do our job but the one
quality services to blind
at Guide Dogs
two years you
constant will
and partially
whose job is to make sure we are fit for
will encounter some challenges to the way
be our continued dedication to offering
sighted people to help them get mobile.
Guide Dogs’ Fun Days
I would be delighted to see you at a series of events we are holding, starting in
May, which gives me and my colleagues a chance to tell you about the exciting
changes we have planned for Guide Dogs. I look forward to meeting you all (refer
to the “What’s On” section for details of the events) and explaining how we will
be continuing the excellent work started by Miss Crooke and Mrs Bond all those
years ago.
Included within this article there is a photograph of Richard Leaman with guide
dog puppy Bailey. Richard is crouching down next to Bailey, a small black
Labrador.
Vision for equality
Working together for an inclusive society
Over 200 people took part in Guide Dogs’ Vision for Equality conference in
January, which had the aim of shaping and enhancing inclusion, participation and
independence for people with sight loss as part of the UK Vision Strategy.
Delegates heard presentations from leaders in the visually impaired sector and had
a chance to have their say during workshops on employment, transport, and children
and young people.
Guide Dogs’ Chief Executive, Richard Leaman co-chaired the conference and said:
“The Vision for Equality conference was a great success and we made real progress
in identifying what needs to be done to improve inclusivity and access for people
with sight loss.
“However, gathering together experts and organisations to discuss these issues was
only the beginning. We will now build on the excellent collaborative work started
at the conference to take real action to drive forward the changes needed.”
For more information about the Vision for Equality conference and for full
transcripts of the speeches, please visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/visionforequality.
Included within this article there are three photographs of the conference. The
first photograph is of a lively debate at one of the Workshops. The second
photograph is of Ann Frye OBE discussing transport and access issues. The third
and final photograph is of delegates taking the opportunity to look at the
exhibitions during the breaks.
Mary Rasmussen, District Client Representative for East Scotland, describes her
experience of the day:
“Getting to Westminster for 9am meant travelling overnight on the sleeper train
from Aberdeen – a considerable challenge for my guide dog Campbell’s bladder! I’m
happy to report that he rose to the challenge but still would not “go” in the
concrete pen provided and had to relieve himself on the grass. This was against
the rules but was the only paw he put wrong during the entire day.
“And what a day! The speakers all spoke with conviction, advocating services which
empower blind and partially sighted people of all ages to assert their rights and
challenge inadequate services, be they employment, education, social or emotional.
They also spoke of the need for a more collective approach to ensure access to
public transport and the pedestrian and built environment.
“The lunch break offered the opportunity to view the exhibitors’ stalls. I am not
often able to access these but on this occasion the layout was simple and I was
able to move from one to the other with ease. I have already received publications
by Living Paintings and will be able to introduce their “sight and sound” books to
our local book group and children’s group at Grampian Society for the Blind. I’m
also hoping this blind grandmother will at last be able to “read” to her
grandchildren and share the illustrations!
“The afternoon session was a series of workshops about children and young people,
employment and life chances, and transport and access. These generated lively
exchanges of views and participants had ample opportunity to discuss the issues
raised.
“I had to leave before Richard Leaman’s closing remarks but Campbell did an
amazing job and got me speedily to Victoria. The onward journey was pleasant and I
was helped by a couple from Harrogate whose friends have a retired guide dog
called Venice, who I knew when he was with his owner. Small world isn’t it – and
testimony to the strength of the Guide Dogs family!
“I came away feeling that I had made a great many valuable contacts, which will
enhance the lives of many guide dog owners in my District Team, as well as local
visually impaired people. I feel better informed on all issues raised and well
prepared to be a more effective influence for change. I was particularly
encouraged that the ideals we strive for in our local area are so cohesively in
line with what Guide Dogs is promoting nationally. I am delighted to be part of
our ongoing vision for equality.”
Mary Rasmussen is pictured at the bottom of this article; Mary is wearing a dark
purple jumper and is hugging her guide dog Campbell. Campbell is a black Labrador
and is wearing his high visibility working harness.
Breeding success for the future
Guide Dogs is investing in its world-leading breeding facility in Warwickshire to
meet future requirements and to ensure the continued success of the breeding
programme.
The new Guide Dogs National Breeding Centre in Bishops Tachbrook will mean we can
produce more guide dogs but also presents some real opportunities for visitors,
supporters and volunteers.
Construction work started in February last year on a site neighbouring Tollgate
and the centre should be up and running this summer.
For the first time we will be able to cater for large groups of visitors at our
breeding centre and show them where life begins for a guide dog. The current
breeding centre, based around Tollgate House, is more than 40 years old and is
housed in several different buildings, some of which have not been purpose-built.
Providing modern facilities will enhance dog and staff welfare and provide much
better facilities for our volunteers. It will also mean Guide Dogs continues to
lead the way internationally for breeding and welfare standards.
The new centre is a crucial part of the Extraordinary Partnerships Strategy, with
a central aim to increase the number of guide dog partnerships. The centre will
allow Guide Dogs to increase the number of puppies bred each year so we can
provide guide dogs for an extra 800 people over the next five years.
Providing facilities for visitors has been a central part of the design because we
are proud of what we do and want to show the world how it’s done. But it will also
be easier for everyone else to visit, because, as a leading disability charity, we
should make sure our buildings are as easy to get round as possible.
The centre will be state-of-the-art in other ways as well, with a hi-tech
cryogenic storage facility and carbon reduction technology, including rainwater
harvest, a bio-fuel burner and natural ventilation.
Carol Warner, Operations Project Manager for Guide Dogs, said: “Guide Dogs is
rightly proud of its position as a world leader in the breeding of working dogs.
“It is really exciting to think the new centre will give our supporters the
opportunity to see that side of our work first-hand.”
There has already been one major event at the new site, with a stone laying
ceremony in November. The ceremony honoured two of our longest standing
volunteers, Alison and Betty Brown, and Derek Freeman, the founder of Guide Dogs’
puppy walking scheme and breeding programme, who had stone plaques dedicated to
them.
Mr Freeman founded the puppy walking scheme in 1956, placing puppies with
volunteers so they could introduce young dogs to the sights, sounds and smells of
a world in which they will play such an important part. He founded the breeding
programme in 1960 and managed it until his retirement in 1987.
The Brown sisters, both in their eighties, have puppy walked more than 90 puppies
between them and raised thousands of pounds since they began volunteering for
Guide Dogs more than 40 years ago.
Their amazing story really captured the imagination of the media near their home
in Scotland.
Richard Leaman, Guide Dogs’ Chief Executive, said: “Without the generosity of
people like Alison and Betty, Guide Dogs would not exist. Without the foresight of
Derek Freeman we would not have the successful breeding programme we do today.
“It is fitting in the run up to our 80th anniversary that we reflect on the
amazing contributions people like this have made. It is all the more fitting to
mark their contribution at a site which is part of our future.”
The existing buildings, with the exception of Tollgate House itself and a bungalow
on the site, will be demolished and the land returned to green fields.
Included within this article are three photographs. The first is an aerial
photograph of the building work at the National Breeding Centre in Warwickshire.
There are lots of buildings starting to form and the centre is taking shape. The
second photograph is of two members of the construction project team, they are
both wearing high visibility jackets and hard hats, and are smiling at the camera.
They are holding a hard hat each and inside the hats there are two tiny fawn
coloured puppies. The final photograph is of Chief Executive Richard Leaman
presenting sisters Alison and Betty Brown with a commemorative gift for the all
the money they have raised for guide dogs.
Mastering the arts
Picking up a brush to paint a picture could understandably be the last thing any
blind or partially sighted person might think of doing. But it seems plenty of
guide dog owners are not afraid to create beautiful works of art and enjoy success
from their efforts.
Annie Fennymore has been longlisted for the Helen Keller International Award, a
multi-media art competition open to both professional and amateur artists. Entries
must explore the senses and challenge perceptions of deafblindness, and Annie’s
entry will be exhibited alongside others at Glasgow Caledonian University in May.
Annie’s sight problems started in her late twenties with a severe allergic
reaction to medication. She then developed bilateral cataracts and later, a fall
down a flight of stairs left her with a detached retina and rendered her blind by
the time she was 47.
The grandmother-of-five, whose guide dog is called Amber, has no formal art
training and depends on her memory for colours and shapes.
Annie said: “My husband, John, has always supported me with my artwork. He gives
me detailed descriptions of colour, saying “citrus yellow”, instead of just
“yellow”.”
She uses quick-drying DIY putty to create an outline of her subject, followed by
sawdust, sand, wood filler and 3D artist paste to smooth on with a palette knife
to create a tactile background she can follow using her fingertips to tap on
colours. To identify the paints, she uses a speaking labeller, known as a
Penfriend, to read the colour out loud from a small barcode label on the paint
tube.
Annie, who regularly attends charity Clacton Art Group near her home in Saint
Osis, Essex, said: “Being longlisted for the Helen Keller award is surreal, it’s a
touch and a step away.
“I love my art, but I had no idea anyone else would be that interested in what I
do.”
Annie’s website, www.blindalleyart.co.uk, showcases her work.
Guide dog owner Barrie Goodfellow has created a website called Low Vision Art,
designed to help people with any degree of sight loss to enjoy art.
Barrie, who was born with bilateral glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, acute myopia
and a hearing defect, holds workshops and talks at a variety of art clubs, blind
groups and schools both near and far from his home in Exeter. Barrie said:
“Painting improves with practice and experience and I would encourage anyone, even
those with little sight, to take up this wonderful pastime. It is very therapeutic
and relaxing and a great way of enjoying our natural environment.”
His passion has so far helped youngsters at the West of England School and
College, for young people with little or no sight, to raise £2,500 for art
materials. He used his influence with a local gallery to get the youngsters’ work
exhibited and auctioned off.
Barrie, who is 60 and has
satisfaction. I’ve got to
something to make the day
discover art, then that’s
Barrie’s paintings.
two daughters, said: “My art gives me great
have a purpose to get up in the morning and I have to do
count. If that’s helping a visually impaired person to
great.” Log on to www.lowvisionart.org to check out
Matthew Rhodes started painting only 18 months ago after an accident while he was
serving with the Devonshire and Dorset regiment. Matthew had served in Germany,
Canada and Bosnia before he was left with two blood clots in the centre of his
brain.
The clots affected Matthew’s memory and emotions, paralysing him down his lefthand side and giving him very limited sight.
Matthew is helped by and volunteers for a charity for blind ex-servicemen, called
Saint Dunstan’s. It was a fellow Saint Dunstan’s volunteer who suggested Matthew
pick up a brush, and the rest is history.
Matthew, a father-of-four who lives with wife Michelle, in East Sussex, said: “I
get a thrill from painting. It’s a form of excitement for me. When I finish a
painting, I’m chuffed. If other people like my paintings, that’s just the icing on
the cake.”
The 36-year-old, who has guide dog Karlo and a terrier called Bobby, added: “I was
a physical training instructor in the Army and was always very physically active,
so I’d never even dreamed of doing something like painting before.”
It was through volunteering through Saint Dunstan’s at a celebration of WWII in
New Haven that Matthew got talking to two volunteers from the Dame Vera Lynn Trust
for Children with Cerebral Palsy. Now, Matthew will have his painting of the
singing heroine signed by her to be auctioned for her charity’s 10th anniversary
celebration in April. Visit Matthew’s website at www.matthew-rhodes.blogspot.com.
Included within this article there are nine photographs. The first six photographs
are of the various different paintings that have been entered into the Helen
Keller International Award. The first painting is Annie’s painting, called Guide
Dog Amber: Woof. The second painting is Matthew’s of Dame Vera Lynn, which will be
signed by the Dame and auctioned at her charity’s 10th anniversary celebration.
The third painting is Barrie’s, called Low Tide, acrylic on canvas. The fourth
painting is Matthew’s, Elephants On The Run, which hangs in his young son’s
bedroom. The fifth painting is Barrie’s, called Moonlight, acrylic on canvas and
the final picture is Annie’s painting, Poppy’s.
The other photographs included within this article are of Annie and her guide dog
Amber. Annie is standing next to several paintings at an exhibition. The next
photograph is of Barrie Goodfellow and his guide dog, Marshall, Barrie is wearing
a blue t-shirt and kneeling down next to Marshall, who is a fawn coloured
Labrador. The final photograph is of Matthew standing next to his painting,
Spitfire Pilot. Matthew has short brown hair and is wearing a pale brown t-shirt.
Overseas challenge
Gearing up to the test
Back in September 2010, Ryan Davis and Rebecca Holliday took to the saddle to
undertake their 15,000-mile journey to New Zealand to raise cash for two causes
very close to their hearts – The Amos Trust and Guide Dogs.
Ryan decided to raise funds for Guide Dogs because his younger sister, Ella, is
visually impaired and was partnered with her first guide dog, Wendy, last year.
They also wanted to raise money for The Amos Trust, a venture that was set up by a
family friend of Rebecca’s, which works with and supports community projects
around the world.
The couple, who are both accountants, had originally hoped to complete their epic
task in time for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in September, though they now
estimate that they will reach the Antipodean islands in October.
Ryan, 25 and from Henley-on-Thames, said: “Our motivation for the trip is to
experience different cultures and meet different people across the world, as well
as having a challenging adventure. A bicycle is the perfect mode of transport to
achieve this – slow enough to witness the world unfold gradually yet fast enough
to cover continents – given enough time!”
Long days
Cycling through countryside and villages as well as the larger cities leads to
countless interesting exchanges and provides the chance to meet all sorts of
interesting people. Rebecca, who is 27 and from Cambridge remarked: “We’ve
definitely adapted to spending long hours on the bikes.
In a typical day, we’ll be in the saddle for five hours, but including
food/toilet/map-reading stops that usually ends up being an eight-hour day.
The “interestingness” of the road makes a massive difference – if there’s great
scenery, hills or villages, the time flies by. But if we’re stuck on a flat,
straight main road, it can really drag. We usually try to absorb the sounds and
sights, but for the really tough moments, a bit of music is a great morale
booster.”
When Forward went to press, the couple had arrived in Tabriz in Iran and were on
their way to Tehran, having cycled 3,800 miles in four-and-a-half months. They
followed the Rhine and Danube rivers through Europe, cycled along the coast of the
Black Sea, before crossing the snowy mountains in east Turkey during winter to
reach the Iranian border.
Ryan said: “We wanted to see the world but also to do something a little different
to the standard backpacking trip through the classic destinations. It is great
seeing such a wide variety of places. We still see the cities that we would’ve
seen had we travelled by bus, but we also get to see the countryside change as we
move across the world.”
Challenges
Despite the breathtaking scenery, the couple have also had some low points,
including Rebecca’s knee injury in the first week, which threatened to end the
trip. There was also a close encounter with some growling animals close to their
tent while they camped in woods in Austria but fortunately, after a few scary
minutes spent holding their breath, the mystery animals moved on.
The couple say that the highlights so far include reaching Istanbul, “a real
milestone”, the start of the more exotic regions, and the end of their first
continent.
Ryan added: “Crossing our first 2,000 metre-high mountain pass in the winter in
minus 25 degree temperatures was really exciting.
It was great to realise we could actually do it, after being told many times that
cycling through the mountains in the winter was a bad idea.” The spirit of human
kindness has also touched the pair’s trip, as they have often been invited into a
family’s home for dinner or to sleep. Ryan said: “The amount of generosity we have
been shown has been incredible, and never fails to amaze me.” To find out their
route, read their blog posts, check out their photos and videos and to donate to
Guide Dogs, visit their website: www.worldcyclingtour.wordpress.com.
At the foot of this article there are six photographs of Ryan and Rebecca along
their amazing journey to New Zealand; the first photograph is of Ryan and Rebecca
reaching Erzurum (in the eastern Anatolia region of Turkey). Ryan and Rebecca are
standing next to a large blue sign. The second photograph is a silhouette of Ryan
jumping in the air after crossing the Anatolian mountain range in Turkey. The
third photograph is of Burghausen Castle, Upper Bavaria. The fourth photograph is
a close up of Ryan and Rebecca; Ryan has light brown hair and a short brown beard;
Rebecca has long blonde hair and is wearing a white and blue hat. The fifth
photograph is of Ryan lying on the floor looking at a map, planning the next day’s
route. The final picture is of the view across Budapest on a bright sunny day.
Foster stays home
Improved mobility may be the primary benefit of a guide dog, but it’s far from the
only one. They also increase confidence, bring companionship, give a fresh outlook
on life and create new opportunities – and not just for owners but their families
also.
This is certainly true for Jenny Mitchinson. When her husband, Mike, died of
cancer last summer, it was no great surprise that she couldn’t face being parted
from his guide dog, Foster. The six-year-old black Labrador-retriever cross had
been Mike’s faithful companion since the dog was two years old, and Jenny was
delighted when her request to keep this much-loved family member as a pet was
granted.
But Foster soon proved he could offer practical as well as emotional help during
this difficult time – as a guide dog once again. Jenny is herself partially
sighted, and in November last year Foster became the first guide dog in the UK to
have been paired with both a husband and wife.
“After Mike’s death I didn’t want to lose Foster, so I was delighted and relieved
when Guide Dogs allowed him to stay on with me,” explains Jenny, 71, from Weston
in Bath.
Her own eyesight was
nerve endings at the
needed was not a pet
already living under
getting worse as a result of uveitis, an inflammation of the
back of the eyes, and it soon became apparent that what she
but a guide dog of her own. Foster – willing, familiar and
her roof – seemed like the perfect candidate.
And to Jenny’s surprise, Guide Dogs agreed once again; she would be allowed to
retrain with him, her first guide dog for 30 years. “They wouldn’t have sent him
out to anyone else, but because he’s been with us all his working life he knows me
as well as he knew Mike.”
“Mike and Foster were a great illustration of our work while they were together,
and when I heard that Jenny was interested in keeping Foster not just as her
companion but also as her guide, I was excited to see if it might be possible,”
says Alun Gwernan-Jones, District Team Manager for Bristol. “I had never heard of
this happening before, but couldn’t be more pleased with the result.”
Any colour, as long it’s black
Black Labradors are a firm Mitchinson favourite – since getting his first of six
guide dogs in 1962, Mike had only ever had one yellow; Jenny’s first, Ebony, whom
she got in 1970, was a black Labrador, as was her second, Nookie. (“You can
imagine the ribald commentary I got, calling out for her in parks around Bath!”)
It would be another three decades before she was paired with Foster – so why such
a long inter-canine wait?
Because the uveitis to which Jenny lost the majority of her useful sight aged 20
has been far from consistent. Generally she perceives the world as if through a
thick fog, with extremes of light and dark making it particularly difficult to
see, but over the years her vision has been better and worse. The 30-year-gap
between guide dogs was brought about, strangely, by the birth of Mike and Jenny’s
second daughter, Tessa, in 1973 (their first, Carol, now has a daughter of her
own, one-year-old Martha). Whether because of hormonal changes or the physical
exertion of labour, Jenny’s sight underwent a gradual change for the better, and
15 months after Tessa’s arrival she could see double yellow lines on the road.
With the return of some useful peripheral vision, when Nookie retired she decided
not to reapply.
“Things were fairly stable until three years ago,” Jenny says, “when my sight
began to deteriorate again. I lost clarity around the edges, and that’s when I
began to think I might need another guide dog – though I never dreamt it would be
Foster.”
Losing a loved one
Jenny and Mike first met in London, where they were both working for the Post
Office. Based in Saint Martin’s le Grand, in the City of London, Mike worked on
one side of the postal area and Jenny on the other, but the young couple used to
meet at office parties, hit it off and, as Jenny puts it, “it went from there!”
They married in 1971 and would have been celebrating their 40th wedding
anniversary this year. Sadly Mike fell ill with bowel cancer in June 2009, and in
August had an operation to remove a tumour. While he initially responded well to
chemotherapy, by Easter 2010 doctors discovered the cancer had spread.
“We were able to have a little 39th wedding anniversary celebration at the
beginning of June last year, which Mike was able to enjoy, and he died at the end
of that month,” says Jenny.
Mike worked Foster right up until his health began to fail. The dog was re-homed
for a few weeks at the start of the summer, while Jenny and her family cared for
Mike at home, before returning to Weston.
“It must have been a confusing time for him,” says Jenny. “I expect he was looking
for Mike when he first came back. I don’t know how long he continued looking for
him, but he’s accepted life as it is now.”
Setting the standard
And life as it is now means a new (albeit familiar) hand on his harness, but the
same high quality of work from this truly professional pooch. Instructors and
mobility workers agree, however, that things might have been different were it not
for Mike’s exemplary standards as a guide dog owner.
It was his to-the-book working that made the partnership possible – as Jenny says:
“The fact he kept Foster’s discipline up made all the difference to him working
for me.” From that perspective, Foster could be considered something of a final
gift from Mike, and it’s certain he would be delighted with how things turned out.
Mike’s amazing mobility capabilities stemmed from the fact that he was completely
blind, having developed glaucoma at an early age and had both eyes removed. Jenny
is convinced that this made his bond with his guide dogs stronger than most,
allowing him to place himself completely in the paws of Foster and his other
guides, trusting their training, intelligence and instincts.
“Mike had absolutely no vision at all, which made him even more fantastic
mobility-wise,” says Jenny with great pride. “His strength was that even if he got
lost or in a situation he wasn’t sure about he could put his faith in his dogs,
and they would always get him out of it.
They have always been excellent workers. If you ask a lot of them they really rise
to the occasion.”
A family’s best friend
It’s certainly true of Foster, who last year was relishing the opportunity to get
back into guiding. Retraining kicked off in November with a visit from Guide Dog
Mobility Instructor Emma Yard – she knew the pair were old friends, but how would
Foster and Jenny work together?
Perfectly, as it turned out. Foster’s talents and Jenny’s previous guide dog
experience made their classes a walk in the park – or rather around the streets of
Weston and Bath, local routes they both already knew. The only initial adaptation
was to slow Foster down from the fast pace he was used to with Mike. Within a few
weeks they were a perfect team.
It was an emotional journey; Emma says: “Jenny was grieving for Mike but at the
same time dedicated to the training and determined to honour him by maintaining
the standards he had set with Foster.
“I feel privileged to have worked with such a willing, gentle dog and such a
brave, humbling lady.” Emma adds: “I have no doubt that this new partnership will
provide a well-respected legacy that her husband would be very proud of.”
Shopping in Bath is now back on the cards for Jenny, as are the walking holidays
the Mitchinsons so loved taking together, all made possible by the guide dog her
husband worked so assiduously over the years. She is impressed and grateful that
Guide Dogs – “a marvellous organisation” – allowed her to retrain with Foster: “I
know what a difference he made to Mike’s life, and now to mine. It’s wonderful to
have him still here with me, a true part of the family.”
Accompanying this article there are a few photographs of Jenny and her guide dog
Foster. The first picture is of Jenny standing outside a row of houses with
Foster, Jenny is wearing a red coat, and has short gray hair, Foster is a black
Labrador and is wearing his high visibility working harness. The second image is
of Jenny and Foster out on a walk. Jenny is holding Foster’s lead and his harness.
The third photograph is of Jenny kneeling down giving Foster a cuddle, the fourth
image is a photo of Mike out on a walk with Foster, Foster is guiding Mike down a
path, in a church yard. The final photograph within this article is of Jenny
sitting on a bench giving Foster a stroke under his chin.
In this article there is a quote from Jenny which reads: “We were able to have a
little 39th wedding anniversary celebration at the beginning of June last year,
which Mike was able to enjoy, and he died at the end of that month”
Are new generation mobile phones the guide dogs of the digital world?
For most of us, our daily routine just falls in to place. We barely take time to
notice the world around us, let alone think about all the gadgets and laboursaving devices that aid us in all our daily tasks, like our washing machine, TV
remote control, power drill, and of course mobile phone.
In 1990, 12.4 million people worldwide had a mobile phone contract; twenty years
later this had increased 370 times to 4.6 billion. Mobile phones have evolved from
simply being a convenient two-way voice-to-voice communication tool to being an
integral part of our everyday lives.
They are now phones, alarm clocks, music players, calculators, photo albums, TV’s,
GPS navigation systems, web browsers and so much more. On top of that they allow
us constant contact with our friends and family via texts, instant messaging and
Facebook. But what if you were suddenly faced with a life-changing disability, how
would you be able to adapt to all the devices and appliances at your disposal?
For thirty six years Alan Fletcher was an engineering manager for BMW/Rover,
travelling daily to his work place and leading an active life. At the age of 47,
his eyesight started to worsen – he was diagnosed with retinal dystrophy – and ten
years later, he was registered blind and had to take early retirement.
Even with the support of family, friends and specialist charities, visually
impaired people quickly become isolated from everyday life. The prejudices and
inaccessibilities of modern life become a reality.
Alan explains: “It was devastating to be faced with a life-changing disability. I
was scared and felt like a helpless child. It was such a great sense of loss, like
losing a loved one, and only when the grieving process is over can you start to
accept it and move on with your life.”
Alan applied for a guide dog and was paired with Joy, a black Labrador who is now
six-and-a-half years old. “She definitely lives up to her name,” Alan comments.
“She has transformed my life – she has become a close friend, my eyes and my lifeguide.”
Alan’s new joie de vivre has motivated him to want to help other people in similar
circumstances and as such, he has recently taken up the voluntary position of
chair of Swindon Branch for Guide Dogs.
Part of his role as chair of the local branch has been to help promote and
organise go walkies for Guide Dogs events. They are fun and social sponsored dog
walks where people and their dogs come together and meet others for a good cause,
while also keeping fit.
Of course, it would be hard for Alan to undertake his duties without the aid of
technology. Communicating with supporters, event organisers and the local
community is crucial in helping to raise awareness of the work of Guide Dogs.
Assistive technology functions such as a screen reader and speech recognition
software, and text-to-speech software ensure that the PC packages can be used to
create letters, spreadsheets and presentations.
About four months ago, Alan decided to purchase an iPhone. “Previously I had used
a number of different types of phone; however, accessibility features were not
standard and it became increasingly frustrating to have to send them away to be
enhanced with speech software.” With the iPhone, however, Alan has been able to
master all the features without any additional upgrades.
He, and many like him, believe that Apple devices including the iPhone, iPad and
iTouch, with their associated functionalities like voiceover technology, are a
major driving force in making modern life more accessible for people who are blind
or partially sighted. For some, they are simply “the guide dogs of the digital
world.”
Guide Dogs has led the way in embracing these advances in technology and has
recently launched a free and fully accessible mobile phone app called “go
walkies.” The app is available on iPhone and android devices and is aimed at
anyone who has a dog, as well as people who just generally like to go walking.
It gives new routes for walking and activates the smartphone’s built-in GPS
functionality to allow users to log and share their favourite walks. It also
provides weekly care-tips for your pooch from celebrity vet Marc Abraham –
currently the resident vet on Sky One’s “My Pet Shame”, as well as ITV’s “This
Morning” and BBC “Breakfast News”. For serious dog-lovers there is a doggie
picture gallery where users will be able to view cute dog pictures as well as make
their own dog famous by uploading images.
Alan believes the app to be particularly useful in helping to find alternative,
interesting routes to walk with Joy, as well as generally being a vital tool for
promoting the work and benefits of Guide Dogs and go walkies. There are
surprisingly few free app’s in the UK offering dog owners the ability to find new
walks and very few app’s that take a social need and link it with a lifestyle
choice.
Technological advances are allowing us to move towards a society in which blind
and partially sighted people enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else.
As Alan summarises: “Becoming blind in middle age was particularly difficult for
both me and my family. My world was turned upside down even though I had 10 years
getting used to my gradual loss of vision. However, both Joy and the iPhone have
allowed me to rediscover my life and accept my situation with a new-found
confidence and focus.”
More information on go walkies events is available at www.gowalkies.org.uk, or
www.facebook.com/gowalkies.
More information on the go walkies phone app is available at www.gowalkies.mobi.
Included within this article there are two photograph the first photograph is of a
Guide Dog looking at the camera; just behind the dog there is a hand holding an
iPhone.
The second image is of an iPhone with the “go walkies” app on the screen.
Thank you to our supporters
Be inspired by what our supporters have been doing to raise money for Guide Dogs
Nine-year-old Lucy Oliver organised a cake sale at her school, Boxgrove Primary
School in Guildford. Her headteacher was so impressed by her initiative and
determination that he agreed to a whole-school non-uniform day, which raised
nearly £600. Lucy’s mum, Jane, said: “I am very proud of my little girl for
organising this and I am very proud of all her friends and her school for pulling
together and raising such a fantastic amount.”
Watford Branch raised £700 at a cabaret night run by the Metropolitan Police
Sports Club in Bushey, Hertforshire. The audience danced the night away to live
music from 60/70’s chart toppers, Vanity Fare, and the night turned out to be the
branch’s most successful fundraising event of last year.
The Ebbsfleet Branch raised £150 at the Longfield Festival last summer. Puppy
walkers from the surrounding areas including Medway, Tonbridge and Maidstone
joined in the fun, putting on a display in the main arena. The branch also
collected more than £1,000 at a garden centre during Guide Dog Week. Pictured here
is a photograph of the Ebbsfleet Branch at Longfield Festival. There are lots of
different members of staff and puppy walkers, they are all standing under a large
Guide Dog Marquee, with their guide dogs sitting and standing in front of them.
Youngsters at Stanford Primary School in Essex collected coins to
silhouette of a guide dog and raised £250, which was presented to
Branch. Some of the children at Stanford Primary School have been
they are all standing in a line with a few of them holding up the
silhouettes they created to raise money for Guide Dogs.
decorate the
the Thurrock
pictured here
coins
It was a bittersweet moment for the secretary of the Tenby and Pembrokeshire
Branch, Eva Rich, when she accepted a cheque for £7,807. That’s because it was the
last official engagement for her fifth guide dog, Angie, before she retired at the
age of 12, after 10 years’ service. Eva and Angie were presented with the donation
from a team of eight local men who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and
completed the annual Pembrokeshire Charity Bike Ride in July last year. Eva’s new
guide dog is called Oyster. Eva Rich and her guide dog Angie have been
photographed accepting a cheque from two of the men that climbed Mount Kilimanjaro
to raise money for Guide Dogs.
Crawling through dark, wet and muddy tunnels and climbing over 10-foot walls were
just some of the ways that a team of fitness instructors from Gloucestershire
raised £800 for Guide Dogs. A 16-strong team completed 18 challenges in 2.5 hours
at an assault course in Bristol at the end of September. The team chose to donate
to Guide Dogs because one of the participants, John Bowles, is blind. To
experience what it was like to complete the endeavour without sight, fellow team
member, Ian Doyle, did the course blindfolded. Pictured here are the team of
fitness instructors that took part in the event, they are all covered in mud and
smiling.
A decade of making handmade quilts, chutneys and conserves has helped Hazel Dent
to collect an impressive sum for Guide Dogs and the special care baby unit at
Wansbeck Hospital. She has raised more than £3,000 for Guide Dogs by holding a
Coffee and Quilts Day each year for the last 10 years at her home in North Seaton
Village in Ashington, Northumberland.
Kidderminster and District Branch hosted a stall at Bewdley Carnival last year
where £95 was raised through trading items and a game. And there was special help
from twins Lily and Madeleine Speller, from Bewdley, who emptied bags of their
pocket money into the Guide Dogs collection box. Pictured here are twins Madeleine
and Lily, they are standing next to a life size Guide Dog collection box, both
Madeleine and Lily are wearing matching red polka dot dresses.
Four years of fundraising by Witney Spartan Rangers Football Club, including a
weekly lottery draw and plenty of street collecting, was rewarded with a guide dog
puppy being named Ranger. Ian Harris, Chairman of the club, in Oxfordshire,
presented Ranger’s puppy walker, Gail Saunders, with a cheque for £5,000, which
was passed on to the Oxford and District Branch. Ian Harris has been photographed
with Gail Saunders and her Guide Dog Ranger.
A go walkies event at Coate Water
nearly 60 people raise £600. They
Fletcher, and his guide dog, Joy,
are lots of people taking part in
Park.
Country Park in Swindon saw around 30 dogs and
followed chairman of the Swindon Branch, Alan
around the 1.7-mile course. Photographed here
the “Go Walkies” event at Coate Water Country
Volunteer speaker Ann Wilson and her husband, Ronnie, held a Let’s Get Dunking day
at their home in Cramlington, Northumberland, raising £300. Ann Wilson has been
photograph with other people taking part in her Let’s Get Dunking event.
Patricia Thorpe from Norwich has organised a coffee morning every October for the
last 10 years in aid of Guide Dogs in memory of her mother, raising an overall
total of £2,911. Patricia Thorpe has been photographed here at the coffee morning
that she helped organise for guide dogs.
Puppy walker Lydia Martin organised a fundraising effort over five days in the
last week of October at Aberdeen Airport, collecting more than £2,000. Lydia
Martin has been photographed at her stand at Aberdeen airport.
Shirley and Alan Curtis celebrated their golden wedding and in lieu of presents,
family and friends donated £288.
Lynne Bakker-Collier, chairwoman of the Stafford & Stone Branch, raised £875
through a fundraising party at Oulton Village Hall near Stone to celebrate 35
years as a professional dog trainer.
Thames Valley Branch volunteers ran six events during November and December,
raising £2,923.
Members of the Southend on Sea Branch accepted £650 from their local Waitrose
after the supermarket chose Guide Dogs as one of the charities to benefit from its
Community Matters fundraising scheme for August.
A two-day collection by the Bath Branch saw 34 collectors and their puppies in
training, guide dogs and retired guide dogs raise £2,690.
Special thanks
Raised: £9,000
The memory of a loved one lives on through charity work for one family whose son
died in a tragic accident.
The Tennant family, from Castleford near Leeds, have named a guide dog puppy Gig
in memory of their son, Richard.
Richard was only 24 when he died in January 2008 after he fell down the stairs at
the family home, and he was due to marry fiancée, Julieann Peniston, that year.
His mum Jennifer, dad Ray, brothers Andrew and Shaun, sister Rebecca and Julieann
have since set up a charitable trust in his name, all helping causes that Richard
was passionate about.
So far, nearly £54,000 has been collected through a series of events including
golf and ten pin bowling tournaments around Richard’s birthday in July, comedy
nights and a host of races from York Half Marathon to the London Marathon.
And they have also helped Dogs for the Disabled, part-funded a minibus for a local
school and built 10 aviaries at a local bird garden.
The puppy they have named is called Gig, as it was Richard’s nickname – coined
when Rebecca could not say his name properly when she was young.
Andrew said: “Richard was the life and soul of the party, everyone else came first
with him and he would drop everything to help someone out. To lose such a vibrant
person was really hard.
“This fundraising gives us a way of keeping his name and memory alive and also, it
puts something back into the community. To be able to help people with different
disabilities and across a range of ages through things Richard would have loved is
great.”
Raised: £11,000
International opera superstar, Andrea Bocelli, has given Guide Dogs a boost by
allowing volunteers to collect at one of his British concerts.
Brood bitch holder Sandra Hoffman has nurtured a relationship with the Italian
tenor, who has had sight problems since birth and went completely blind aged 12,
over the last three years. A massive fan, Sandra has slowly earned the confidence
of Andrea’s team, even being lucky enough to be invited to Andrea’s private home
in Italy.
Guide Dogs now has Andrea’s ongoing support and he has given Sandra and her team
permission to collect for Guide Dogs at his future UK concerts.
Sandra was part of a 14-strong team collecting at the UK leg of his 2010 tour at
the Manchester Evening News (MEN) Arena on Friday, 26 November 2010.
Sandra said: “This particular event was covered by both Tollgate and Coventry
Fundraising Branches and extra support was given by Manchester volunteers – it is
the support and dedication shown by the many guide dog volunteers and fundraisers
that allows us to continue to provide our services to blind and partially sighted
people. A big thank you to them all.”
Included at the start of this article there is a photograph of Richard Tennant,
Richard has been pictured standing behind a bicycle in front of the sea, Richard
is wearing a dark brown vest and cycling shorts. There is also a photograph of
Guide Dog puppy Gig, who is a fawn coloured Labrador, Gig has been pictured
sitting outside in the sunshine.
Competitions
SPRING is about to be well and truly sprung, so leave the long, cold winter months
behind and celebrate the new season with a chance to win gardening goodies!
Just answer the spring-themed questions below and the winning entry will receive
an allotment starter kit from John Lewis.
There is an image of lots of different gardening tools. They are presented in a
white linen bag.
1. William Wordsworth wrote a famous poem about which flower?
2. How many feet of earthworms can a young robin eat in a day?
3. Spring is represented by which precious stone?
4. The movie “Easter Parade”, starring Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, immortalizes
the grand Easter Sunday stroll down which famous street?
5. Which event usually occurs on March 20 or 21 in the northern hemisphere?
6. Who is famous for creating the most decorated and expensive Easter eggs?
7. Which flower is the most popular spring flower of all time?
8. Which patron saint is celebrated on March 17?
9. Which celestial body determines the date of Easter?
Answers to the Winter Forward competition:
1) Simon and Garfunkel 2) France, Chamonix 3) Snow nose or hyperpigmentation 4)
Orange 5) James Stewart 6) Robert Burns 7) House of bread 8) Mathew and Luke 9)
1644 10) Ice hockey
Send your answers to Forward Competition, Guide Dogs, Hillfields, Burghfield
Common, Reading RG7 3YG or e-mail forward@guidedogs.org.uk
Entries must reach us by April 25.
Congratulations to Ian Hill from Birstall, West Yorkshire, who wins a Helensgate
waisted vase.
Caption competition
Thank you to Oxford District Fundraising Manager Tracy Bracher, who sent in this
photo of guide dog puppy Taylor saying hello to police horse Titan outside Oxford
United’s Kassam Stadium.
Can you think of a caption?
Taylor has been photographed whilst out on a walk with Tracy. Taylor is a small
fawn-coloured Labrador, who is very intently looking up at a police horse Titan,
who is leaning down towards Taylor. Titan and Taylor are almost “kissing” noses.
To enter, please write your answer on a postcard and send it to Forward
Competition, Guide Dogs, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG. You can
also e-mail forward@guidedogs.org.uk
Entries must reach us by April 25 2011. The prize is a £10 Marks & Spencer
voucher.
Congratulations
The Winter caption competition winner was Ian Noble from Hertford.
Mr Noble wins a £10 Marks & Spencer voucher.
The picture for last edition’s caption competition was of Oscar standing in John’s
living room. Oscar is a fawn-coloured Labrador, who is holding a large wicker
basket in his mouth. Oscar has an innocent look on his face. The camera’s only
focus is on Oscar.
Winning caption: “I’m the pick of the litter.”
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. 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 25 April 2011.
In good company
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett is backing a waste management company’s
efforts to raise Guide Dogs cash while helping the environment.
The Sheffield MP and his guide dog, Sadie, are behind Veolia Environmental
Services’ campaign to recycle used inkjet cartridges at one of the city’s five
Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Each year, over 60 million inkjet printer cartridges are thrown away when they
could be turned into cash for charity, and cartridge remanufacturer, Environmental
Business Products, is also on board with the campaign.
Mr Blunkett said: “This is an excellent scheme that combines recycling with a
fantastic contribution to the mobility, dignity and independence of blind people.
The initiative of recycling print cartridges is painless for those taking the
trouble to contribute but extremely valuable in raising the necessary funds for
guide dog training.
“As my own dog, Sadie, will be retiring, this is very close to my heart.
“I commend all of those who have been involved in the previous scheme to recycle
unwanted mobile phones, which raised £5,000. I hope we can do even better with
this new initiative.”
Pictured at the top of this page is a photograph of Simon Heathcote Veolia
recycling assistant, he has been photographed with puppy Tony, David Blunkett MP
with his guide dog, Sadie, and Pam White, District Fundraiser for South Yorkshire
with puppy, Morton.
It’s third time lucky for staff at a home building firm who have put on a series
of activities including raffles and sponsored events to name a third guide dog
puppy. Bennett Homes also made a donation towards the company’s £15,000 total,
with the latest pup named Bennett.
Bennett, a golden retriever, has now started his puppy training with a puppy
walker. Edward Parker, Bennett Homes’ Managing Director, said: “We are delighted
to welcome Bennett as our third guide dog. This is an excellent charity and one
which all the staff here have taken to their hearts in raising the funds for his
training, which we have been happy to support.”
He added: “This puppy is going to make such a difference to the life of someone
with little or no eyesight who just can’t do the things the rest of us take for
granted.”
Pictured at the bottom of this page is a photograph of Bennett Homes’ Adele
Pearce, Stephen Henery holding Bennett a small fawn coloured Labrador and Julia
Gathercole with Guide Dogs’ Letitia Hayward, they are all stood outside the
Bennett Homes office wearing hard hats.
Uncovering hidden talents was the key to a PR agency’s 10th anniversary
fundraising efforts. Staff at Mosaic Publicity, in Colchester, Essex, marked the
firm’s first decade by holding a series of events throughout last year including a
hidden talent variety show.
Staff invited business people from across the town to demonstrate their skills
outside the office, with the show featuring an opera singer, a dog agility show
and a bed of nails act, among many more.
There was also a clothes swap in January, a media training master class for local
business people in February and a masked ball in April.
The team smashed its £10,000 target and went on to raise more than £11,000, enough
to name two guide dog puppies, Maximus (Max) and Boadicea, known as Beau. Gemma
Rawlinson, PA and Event Manager, said: “The hidden talent show was a fantastic
night and people couldn’t believe the level of talent.”
“She added: “Our CEO, Karen Ainley, decided to support Guide Dogs after seeing the
local team doing a demonstration at a Colchester shopping centre.
“We decided to give the guide dog puppies Roman names because both Colchester and
our company have strong Roman links. We’re all dog lovers here and we’re delighted
to have been involved in providing guide dogs for the future.”
What’s on?
Key events for Spring 2011
10-13 March – Crufts
With nearly 28,000 healthy, happy dogs enjoying the thrills and excitement of Best
in Show with their owners, there’s no better place than Dfs Crufts to experience
and learn about the wonderful world of dogs.
Tickets for dfs Crufts 2011 are now available to purchase online at
www.crufts.org.uk/ticket-office.
9 April – Wellsgreen Golf Academy, Kirkcaldy, Fife
The Scottish Disability Golf Partnership (SDGP) is proud to announce its first PGA
supervised Golf Training and Tuition Day for 2011.
Running from 09:30 through to 16:00, there are initially places for fifty disabled
golfers and their coaches, guides or carers.
The SDGP are providing a golf lesson, use of practice facilities, catering and
golf on the adjacent course for each person. A £20 entry deposit, which will be
refunded on attendance, is the only requirement for attendees. Anyone of any age
or golfing standard, who has a disability, serious health problem or mobility
issue that interferes with the playing of the game and their coaches, guides or
carers can attend. For more information or to apply, please go to www.sdgp.co.uk
or e-mail info@sdgp.co.uk.
10 April – Brighton Marathon
The UK’s newest 26 miler offers a great alternative to London. Run for a good
cause, at the same time of year.
For more information go to www.brightonmarathon.co.uk.
17 April – London Virgin Marathon
Now in its 31st year, head to the capital to watch and support those running for
Guide Dogs on the streets of London. Check out the marathon guide available at
www.londonmarathon.co.uk which will tell you what time you can expect each group
of runners to reach the mile markers.
2 May – Belfast Marathon
The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon is celebrating its 30th year. Support the
Belfast District Team who have set a fundraising target of £1,000. You can also
make a donation at www.justgiving.com/guidedogsgals. For more information on the
race go to www.belfastcitymarathon.com
June 9 from 12:00pm South West Disability Show, Westpoint, Exeter
The UK’s first Wheelchair Challenge will take place at Westpoint in Exeter. The
challenge will be hosted by Toby Anstis and takes place at the South West
Disability Show.
This is the largest of its type in the South West focussing on providers of
independent living and mobility solutions for all forms of physical, sensory and
learning disabilities and mental health impairments.
For more information go to www.ukwheelchairchallenge.co.uk.
14 May – 24 September Guide Dogs Fun Days
Nine fun day events are taking place around the country this summer. There will be
the opportunity to meet senior management and Trustees, and each event will host a
go walkies. There will also be added entertainment such as displays and trade
stands. Please support your local event in any way you can. For more information
visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/opendays.
14th May – Newcastle Billquay Farm
4th June – Redbridge Training School
11th June – Perth Upper Springlands
18th June – Belfast Malone House
25th June – Leamington Pump Room Gardens
2nd July – Cardiff Tredegar House
30th July – Bangor Penryhn Castle
4th September – Atherton Training School
24th September – Exeter Racecourse
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 forward@guidedogs.org.uk or to Forward at
Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, RG7 3YG.
We are sorry that we do not have space to print all of the tributes that we have
received and so we will include those who have passed away most recently in a
future edition of Forward.
Angie 20.1.97 – 7.9.10
Wonderful and faithful to the end. My Angie baby, I will always love and remember
you. Reunited with Dad. Margaret, Pammy, Billy & Ferret
Baxter 1.6.97 – 24.7.10
Fourth guide to Derek Child. Trained by Emma Robinson, retired to Mike Franklin
and Betty Hutchinson. He was a superb guide and lovely faithful friend. Bless his
memory.
Beattie 13.11.98 – 6.9.10
Happily retired to Mr and Mrs Saunders and guide to Sheila Rutherford. “Love,
trust, devotion, that’s what you gave to me. I will always love you, Beattie run
free!”
Becky 24.9.96 – 3.8.10
My wonderful guide dog Becky guided me for 10 years cheerfully and in an excellent
manner. A happy and adorable dog. She is greatly missed.
Bella 11.7.96 – 18.8.10
Puppy walked in Bridgewater. Wonderful companion who continued to give
independence to Carole Brown. Forever in our thoughts.
Campbell 23.4.97 – 14.9.10
With character and independent nature he sired many puppies. In retirement a
loving pet who will be greatly missed. Your spirit lives on – sleep well.
Chadd 18.6.97 – 15.7.10
A brave gentle giant who brought us such fun and happiness. We can’t believe
you’ve gone. We’ll never forget you my lovely boy – Mike and Val.
Connie 14.3.97 – 11.10.10
Second guide dog to Susan Harrison, puppy walked by Anne Thompson. Connie was very
faithful, loving and friendly. Loved and missed by all the family and friends.
Dee 7.2.02 – 3.9.10
Much loved friend and guide to Alison Trelfa. Put to sleep suddenly at only eight
and a half. Good night, God bless, gentle dinky Dee, my little goody four paws.
Doris 16.3.97 – 26.7.10
Owned by Sandra Heaton and puppy walked by Sid and Marion Hill of Chorley. We
shall all miss her very much. Rest in peace my little dotty Doris, good night.
Ellie 11.2.01 – 7.11.10
Find your softest pillow lord, to place her head upon, put a kiss upon her head,
and tell her who it’s from. She was my best friend.
Elsa 17.2.00 – 23.7.10
Loving mum to 42 pups. A fun girl who loved her toys and balls. Suddenly cancer
took her from us. So loved by the Burgess family.
Floss 25.2.96 – 1.9.10
Fantastic guide to Wendy Johnson, Sleaford. Adored by Johnny and Tyne. Wonderful
retirement with John and Ella Purves, Coldstream. Floppadoppa forever in all our
hearts.
Herbie 5.5.97 – 21.11.10
Rehomed, aged one, with Moira and Mike. A real “character”. wonderful and loyal
companion. Loved by all who knew him.
Hooper 15.6.99 – 1.10.10
Beloved soulmate, you guided me and my family, teaching us joy, patience and love.
You live on in our hearts. God bless: till we meet again...
Isabel 3.11.97 – 12.10.10
Loved by Peter and Kate Bailey, Doris Foggin and family and Frank. Faithful and
willing companion to Patricia Rescigno. We will never forget you.
Jay 26.04.96 – 12.09.10
Puppy walked by the Blackhall family then beloved pet for 14 years. “The Duchess”,
the most beautiful dog. Much loved and greatly missed.
Jenkins 4.11.97 – 15.11.10
Devoted guide dog to Joan Linch. Puppy walked with Joan and Derek Roddam to whom
he returned for a happy retirement. Rest well “Big Fella” we will never forget
you.
Kathy 24.3.96 – 2.8.10
Guide to Rita Morrisy. Retired to puppy walkers Betty and George Mitcheson.
Wonderful girl, always ready for walks. Much loved by everyone. Good night
teddybear.
Kelly 12.10.99 – 26.7.10
My beautiful bundle of life and fun. All your friends will miss you always. You
are in our hearts, little one – Gordon Love, guide dog owner.
Lana 5.7.94 – 8.7.10
Mom to 31 pups. Intelligent companion to me for 15 years, sadly missed by all the
family, Jean and Derek. Sleep well my Lana.
Larry 26.4.01 – 10.8.10
A hundred hearts could not hold all my love for you. Miss you – your mum, Sue
Recco.
Lenny 17.5.97 – 25.9.10
Sadly missed companion and partner to Bill Rees and a friend to all the family.
Will never be forgotten – sleep well my brave boy. XXX.
Leo 19.2.97 – 15.11.10
Guide to Richard Booth of York and boarded by Don and Christine Blake and much
loved by all their family. “Don’t cry, Leo is now God’s guide dog.”
Louise 6.7.95 – 20.8.10
In remembrance of my best friend – a true companion. I will always carry you in my
heart my Bubbadus. Goodnight my Angel Love Mam, Dad, Chris and Chelsea X.
Masie 13.6.1996 – 30.8.2010
Masie, the first guide dog to Ann Stewart, Cumbernauld. Adopted by Robert Smith,
Crieff. She gave me back my independence. A beautiful girl, loved by everyone who
knew her.
Megan 7.1.02 – 15.11.10
My great friend who so lovingly guided me through life protecting me from harm.
Enjoy the retirement in peace you so deserved beautiful girl. Jeremy.
Mick 09.07.97 – 29.11.10
Faithful friend and loyal companion. You gave me the confidence to reach for the
stars. Rest in peace, you will never be forgotten.
Minty 28.11.94 – 27.8.10
Brood bitch Minty, the puppy who stayed. Born to our previous brood Jodie, puppy
walked by us, mother to 31 pups. A very special girl – loved and missed.
Morton 20.8.99 – 17.6.10
Guide to Peter Dawson, puppy walked by Anne Barrett. A very special guide dog who
leaves behind so many happy memories. Missed by Peter, Pip, Jenny and Leah.
Nancy 5.4.97 – 19.9.10
Second guide dog to Mrs Janet Penn. Died suddenly and sadly missed by all. Run
free, from Mam, Dad and Toni and love forever.
Napier 11.3.96 – 10.8.10
Faithful guide dog to Jeff Parmenter and loved by all the family. We miss you and
will never forget you.
Nick 12.7.97 – 29.7.10
Nick “the Goon”. Always full of fun and made us laugh every day with his antics,
following his retirement. Miss you “Golden Boy”. Sarah, Max and Onyx.
Norman 24.7.97 – 19.7.10
Faithfully served as a guide dog, puppy walked and retired to Gill and George
Johnson. You’ll be sadly missed but forever remembered, love always Gill, George,
Mat & Gail. X
Pepper 13.12.97 – 11.10.10
Puppy walked by Sue and Peter Donnelly, adopted by Sheila Black, Ayrshire on 1
April 1999. “Goodbye my darling, I will love and miss you forever.”
Pippa 22.6.96 – 5.10.10
First guide dog to Hayley Barnes. A loyal trusted and great family friend, much
loved and missed by all the family and her many friends. Happy scrumping Pip!!
Portia (Penny) 29.3.95 – 27.7.10
Portia was a wonderfully funny, caring and empathetic, hardworking guide dog. She
was loved by everyone who met her. Bless you, Miss P. Sleep well.
Quaker 28.2.97 – 22.10.10
Guide and loyal companion to Sue Hadley, then retired to Harry and Elaine for
three wonderfully happy and carefree years. You deserve to sleep peacefully now,
our lovely, gentle Quaker-belle.
Quala 27.11.97 - 4.11.10
Trusted guide to Phyllis Lee. She’s well missed and was loved by all the family.
We all miss her and still look for her.
Ricky 8.11.94 – 8.8.10
A wonderful gentle lad walked and adopted by puppy walker Olwyna and Garry
Stevenson. Life’s not the same without you. Miss you, in our hearts forever.
Sammy 3.4.99 – 14.7.10
Guide to Susan Pitt, put to rest after a short illness. You will always be in my
heart, and never be forgotten. Goodnight, big boy.
Star 11.11.99 – 7.10.10
Gentlest of all our goldies, despite leaving Guide dogs training as “aggressive”.
Our gain, but you would have been a great guide. Twinkle, twinkle, little Star.
Terri 1.12.97 29.10.10
First guide for Brenda Williams, retired 2001 and returned to puppy walker Diane
Hoar. You were so brave. Loved by everyone – Diane, Steve, Brenda and David.
Tess 7.3.97 – 1.8.10
Retired brood bitch of the S litter of 1999 and T litter of 2001. We also had her
mother, Jasmin, so saw her come into and leave this world.
Vance 7.4.99 – 29.11.10
Vance was my guide and loveable companion for nine and a half years, he was my
rock and will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, love Roy and Kath Smith.
Vikki 13.8.96 – 26.8.10
Thanks for all the memories you’ve given me since we were paired. You will always
be in our hearts. Goodnight my best friend. Have a packet of biscuits on me.
Whisp 4.10.96 – 7.6.10
A loving and loyal companion to Judith Jenkins. Very popular in Torpoint,
Cornwall. Retired to Liz and Bernard Longley. A much loved girl missed by all who
knew her.
Yarna 1.8.97 – 25.11.10
A very much loved and treasured guide dog, worked brilliantly. A very good friend
to Leslie and Pat in her retirement. Known as Little Eyes. Always loved but never
forgotten.
Zim 22.4.95 – 29.7.10
First and wonderful guide to Dave Richards. Puppy walked by Stephanie King,
trained by Michela Butler. Loved and missed by all the family.
Zoe 13.1.98 – 17.8.10
First guide dog to Maura Nagle. Much loved and faithful friend. Gave much pleasure
to many. Never forgotten.
There are photographs taken in various locations and in different poses of:
Baxter, Campbell, Chadd, Connie, Elsa, Floss, Herbie, Maisie, Megan, Mick, Minty,
Morton, Nancy, Nick, Isabel, Jay, Lana, Larry, Lenny, Leo, Louise, Norman, Quaker,
Sammy, Star, Terri, Tess and Whisp.
Letters
Reducing the time
I am a very keen fundraiser and supporter of Guide Dogs for many, many years, and
from what I have learned recently, blind and partially sighted people have to wait
a long time for a replacement guide dog after the dog has died or retired.
Surely this could be alleviated if more people were trained?
Anonymous
Reply from the Editor:
I couldn’t agree more, as an organisation we do all we can to reduce people’s
waiting times. Over 60 per cent of people requiring a replacement dog have no
waiting time at all as we are able to plan with them for their dog’s retirement
and subsequent retraining. However, we know there are still occasions when waiting
times are too long and this is one of many areas we constantly monitor, our aim
being to deliver our services as quickly and efficiently as possible, recognising
the frustration and concern it causes our clients. We are continuing to recruit
more staff and increase the number of dogs we train each year to meet this growing
demand. We will train replacement and new clients as quickly as our resources
allow. The wonderful help we receive from our volunteers and fundraisers help us
achieve this ambition and continue to grow our services.
Forward in Daisy format
I am writing in response to a letter in the Winter edition of Forward sent in by
Ian McClenaghen
I hadn’t given much thought to the subject previously, but it may well be cost
effective if Forward were produced in Daisy format, and anyone currently receiving
it in another format (Braille in my case) could if they wanted to, have Daisy
instead. Wouldn’t that be cheaper? I don’t know, but I imagine it would.
Elli Bennett
Reply from the Editor:
We’ve looked into the costings of producing Forward in Daisy format and the
initial set up cost of producing the format is a few hundred pounds, whereas each
individual CD has a very low unit cost of well under a pound. For this reason, it
would only be cheaper to produce in the Daisy format if a lot of clients show an
interest.
As we’ve not been bowled over by interested parties, I will certainly keep an eye
on it and will give an update on the letters page in the Summer edition.
Fundraising efforts ignored
I was a little surprised and disappointed that you had not included the
fundraising efforts of Bradwell Butchery in the Winter edition of Forward.
I knew it would be too late for the Autumn edition but had told them it should be
in the next one.
Along with their Bradwell Bowls Club, the Bradwell Butchery raised well over £500
for Guide Dogs and presented the cheque to the secretary of the Lowestoft Branch.
Guide dog owner
Robin C. Evans with Bertie
Reply from the Editor:
Unfortunately, on this occasion, the news about the Bradwell Bowls Club and
Bradwell Butchery was not included in the last edition of Forward.
As we currently receive a very large number of submissions for articles from
supporters across the UK and, with only a limited amount of space, we can only
include a small percentage of these in the printed edition of Forward.
We are very grateful to our supporters and always like to hear about the fun,
creative and interesting ways that they raise funds for Guide Dogs and we’re
considering alternative ways to share these stories as we hear about so many.
I hope that on this occasion you accept my apology and will continue to let us
know about any fundraising events that you are involved with.
Accompanying this feature is a photograph of a chocolate brown Labrador, sitting
in a field of daffodils; there are a few blurred daffodils in the foreground of
the image.
In memory and in our thoughts
Brian Thorne
The Spelthorne Branch of Guide Dogs is sad to announce the death, on 19 October
2010, of its treasurer, Brian Thorne following a brief illness.
Brian had been the branch’s only treasurer since its formation in 1993, and has
fundraised over £50,000 for Guide Dogs since the mid 70’s.
One of Brian’s proudest moments was when he visited the Redbridge Training Centre
to meet the trainee guide dog which he had sponsored, named Brian.
Brian was highly respected within the Guide Dogs family with other branch officers
seeking his support and advice. Brian will be sadly missed by his family, friends
and colleagues everywhere.
Brian was awarded a Civic Award from Spelthorne Borough Council in 2008 for his
Outstanding Voluntary Service to the Community.
Alan Seddon
Alan Seddon was a dedicated dog trainer for Guide Dogs for almost 20 years.
Joining in 1965, he served his apprenticeship at Bolton and Leamington and was
part of the original staff at the Forfar Training Centre.
He married head kennel maid Freda Kenney and moved back to Bolton for many happy
and busy years where they raised three children.
Alan progressed within Guide Dogs to area supervisor for Lancashire, Cheshire and
Derbyshire before returning to Scotland in 1984, where he built a successful
boarding and training kennel business.
Alan died on New Year’s Day aged 72 following a short battle with cancer.
Peggy Powell
The Bristol, Avon and Somerset District Team is sorry for the loss of guide dog
owner Peggy Powell of Patchway, Bristol. Peggy’s family would like to thank
everybody at Guide Dogs for their kindness, generosity, and support over the last
12 years.
Guide dogs Isobel and Drew gave her a new quality of life after her husband John
passed away, keeping her active with a purpose to carry on. She will be sadly
missed.
Michael Durrant
The Wellingborough Branch is sad to announce the death of Michael Durrant on 16
September 2010. Michael was an active member of the branch and was always
promoting Guide Dogs in his day to day life. Michael’s wife Ann would like to
thank all his friends for their kind donations in lieu of flowers at his funeral,
where £410 was collected for Guide Dogs.
Ann’s guide dog Eric was a constant companion to Michael in his final weeks and up
until the day he died. Michael will be sadly missed by his friends in the branch.
Asking for donations to charity in lieu of funeral flowers can be a special way of
remembering a loved one.
We have collection envelopes that can be personalised by us with the name of your
friend or relative.
To request envelopes, please call Joette Emerton on 0118 9838385.
Included within this section there are three photographs, the first is a picture
of Brian Thorne, Brian has been photographed kneeling down next to a small black
Labrador. Brian is wearing a gray suit with a light blue shirt and is looking at
the camera smiling. The second photo is of Alan Seddon, Alan has been pictured
outside with a backdrop of lot of fields, Alan is wearing a dark blue shirt and is
wearing a pale brown bucket hat. The final photograph is of Michael Durrant,
Michael has been photographed outside the Guide Dogs Branch, he is wearing a Guide
Dogs shirt and is holding a fundraising bucket. Michael is looking at the camera
smiling.
Promotions
Here are the three advertisements that are given in different places in this issue
of Forward.
1. “My cherished friend - forever in my heart”
Pictured at the top of this advert is an image of one of the posters; the poster
is mainly blue with white text and a photograph of a small fluffy, black and white
dog looking towards the camera.
Share the memories. Make a difference.
Nothing can prepare you for the huge sadness of losing a beloved pet. However,
many people find great comfort in adding their best friend’s name to our online
Book of Remembrance – alongside our own cherished guide dogs – and creating a
personalised page in celebration of their life. What’s more, by making a donation
of your choice in their name, you’ll be helping to create another amazing
partnership – the one between a blind or partially sighted person and their guide
dog.
To find out more about remembering your pet in this special way please visit us
now at www.giftsinmemory.org.uk/pets
Call 0845 6031477 or e-mail us at giftsinmemory@guidedogs.org.uk
Running across the foot of this feature is a straight gold line which breaks on
the right hand side to allow room for the Guide Dogs’ logo in blue.
Guide Dogs is a working name of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
Registered Office: 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).
2. Guide Dogs at School – teaching children across the UK about sight loss
The Guide Dogs at School logo is pictured at the start of this article. The logo
reads: “Guide Dogs at SCHOOL” in blue writing with a bright yellow splash as a
background.
Guide Dogs at School, the annual event for school children across the UK is back –
and better than ever! This year offers tailored education resources for all
schools, from nursery, through primary to secondary, enabling children of all ages
to learn about sight loss and guide dogs.
Schools can hold their Guide Dogs at School day at any point in the summer term,
and can keep half of any funds raised during the event for their own school.
All schools that register to take part will receive a resource pack based on the
national curriculum, which contains lesson plans, activity sheets and multimedia
resources.
Visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/guidedogsatschool or phone 0870 6002323 for more
information.
There is also an image of a small boy in a school uniform giving a fawn coloured
Guide Dog a big cuddle. Running across the foot of this feature is a straight gold
line which breaks on the right hand side to allow room for the Guide Dogs’ logo in
blue.
3. GUIDE DOGS le tour 2011
10th Anniversary
Included within this promotion is a photograph of a road leading across the Alps,
with the mountains in the background. On the right of the image there is a yellow
outline of a person riding a bike along the road.
10 years of Le Tour experience
All that’s missing from the Alps is you
20 – 27 August 2011
To register your place today call us on 0845 6006787 or text “DOGS” and your name
to 88802
For more details check out our website www.guidedogs.org.uk/letour
Running across the foot of this feature is a straight gold line which breaks on
the right hand side to allow room for the Guide Dogs’ logo in white.
Register charity in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979). 1886 01/11
New Partnerships
Name: Kevin Seabrook
Age: 33
Occupation: Former chef
Name: Jake
Age: 2
Occupation: Guide dog
Kevin lives in the Manor Top area of Sheffield with his first guide dog, Jake.
Kevin decided to get a guide dog because his retinitis pigmentosa stopped him from
going out in poor light, and Jake has given him a new lease of life.
Kevin said: “My condition means that it’s like I’m constantly looking through a
letter box; if I’m looking ahead of me, I can’t see anything from waist height
downwards and if I’m looking down, I can’t see what’s in front of me. Getting Jake
means I don’t have to worry about looking down all the time.
“Jake is a Labrador/curly coat retriever cross and he’s huge, but he’s a gentle
giant and we’re getting on really well. I’m able to get round so much better with
him than I could before.”
Kevin Seabrook is pictured at the start of this article sitting in a blue and red
striped armchair. Kevin who has short brown hair, is wearing a light yellow tshirt.
Qualifiers are listed in the following order:
Owner, dog, town, breed, puppy walker and brood bitch holder.
Partnerships are listed according to the district team area they reside in.
Key:
CCR – Curly Coat Retriever
COL – Collie
FCR – Flat Coat Retriever
GR – Golden Retriever
GSD – German Shepherd Dog
IWS – Irish Water Spaniel
L – Labrador
SPIN – Spinone
STP – Standard Poodle
x – crossbreed
Bedfordshire and Herts
Janet Adams & Diesel from Enfield GRxL, Susan Dall from Tunbridge Wells, Kate
Wright from Stratford-Upon-Avon
David Brealey & Quest from Wellingborough GR, Jackie Eells from Sidcup, Catherine
George from Worcester
Tracy Compton & Urwin from Morden GRxFCR, Malcolm Moore from Sidcup, Sue Hollis
from Worcester
Jeffrey Cowan & Tilly from Stanmore GR, Annette Ashton from Chelmsford, Gordon
Watson from Tamworth
Richard Freeman & Eaton from South Croydon LxGR, Patrick Hutchinson from
Colchester, J Roberts from Brackley
Gary Welling & Vinny from Waltham Cross GRxL, Lynda Petit from Wallingford, Dr J
Blackshaw from Coventry
Bristol
Paul Stephen Clasby & Dixie from Llanarth GRxL, Anne Fuller from Birmingham, Paula
McLean from Warwick
Keziah Fuller & Kim from Ilminster GRxL, Bill & Sue Coltham from Axminster, S
Boden from Rugeley
Aron Mallows & Dudley from Eastleigh LxGR, Miss Turbitt from Coventry, Pauline
Kermode from Warwick
Ian McDonald & Whitney from Bath LxGR, Mr & Mrs Coultripp & Mrs Howden from
Banbury, Jacki Boyle from Telford
Maureen McManus & Jenkins from Burnham-on-Sea GRxFCR, Mr & Mrs White from
Yelverton, Mr & Mrs Rogers from Bromsgrove
Jenny Mitchinson & Foster from Bath LxGR, Joyce Cunningham from Kirkcaldy, Joy
Ebury from Tipton
Robert Skene & Finlay from Minehead GRxL, Colin Carn from Plymouth, Mr & Mrs
Davies from Telford
Lisa Tainton & Dorothy from Pontypool GRxL, Geoffrey & Barbara Graham from
Plymouth, Jean Heaton from Buckfastleigh, Julienne Shearing from Coventry
Cardiff
Penny Baines & Emily from Pembs COLxGR, Barry Roberts from Walsall, Katherine
Baker from Mitcheldean
Lawrence Brown & Anjelo from Pembroke Dock GRxL, Michael Davie from Loughborough,
Y Dillon from Warwick
Pat Fehily & Milo from Abergavenny GR, Pamela Antcliffe from Ilchester, H Ablett
from Kenilworth
Chris Garland & Heath from Bridgend GRxL, Janice Bradley from Birmingham, M
Nightingale from Birmingham, Y Dillon from Warwick
Jeremy Hooper & Madge from Cardiff GRxFCR, A Noble from Glasgow, Colin Thom from
High Peak, Eva Middleton from Stratford-Upon-Avon
Hilary Lester & Yalena from Newport GRxL, Joanne Martin from Derby, MR Armitage
from Leamington Spa
Jak Powles & Vance from Bridgend L, Helen Cookes from Nuneaton, Phil Revill from
Southam
Eva Rich & Oyster from Saundersfoot L, Andrew & Karen Lavis from Bristol, Sarah
Pagan from Leamington Spa
Christine Williams & Esme from Pembroke Dock GRxFCR, Karen Lesley Tully from
Plymouth, Mr & Mrs Rogers from Bromsgrove
Sandra Woolcock & Jacqui from Port Talbot GRxL, Timothy Tasker from Rugby, Dr J
Blackshaw from Coventry
Central London
Jennifer Abbitt & Abbot from London LxGR, Pauline Smith from London, Sandra
Bradburn-Vazquez from Stafford
Geoff Adams-Spink & Abbot from Harrow LxGR, Pauline Smith from London, Sandra
Bradburn-Vazquez from Stafford
Anna Cannings & Reno from London LxGR, Jane Storey from Chelmsford, Gwen Cheyney
from Southam
John Dove & Gus from London GSD, Rebecca Alexander from Dunkeld, Jess Black from
Dunfermline, Amanda Turner from Shrewsbury
Collette Hassett & Faith from Hansworth GR, Theresa Collett from Upminster
Marve King & Rufus from London L, Peter Scurr from Southampton, Mr & Mrs Bedding
from Southam
Barry Lewis & Tor from London L, Susan Punnett from Swindon
Rachel Mentiply & Samson from London GRxL, Ellen Young from Basingstoke, Michelle
Murphy from Leicester
James Muirhead & Neal from London LxGR, Monica Easton from Reading, Lynne Marie
May from Northampton
Valerie Upchurch & Collin from London GRxL, Margot Choo from Welwyn Garden City,
Sam Oakley from Rugby
Cumbria and Lancashire
Margaret Halliwell & Kirsty from Rossendale GRxL, Rosemary & Keith Beddoes from
Perth, Mrs Lockley from Leamington Spa
Derek Hornby & Karen from Ormskirk LxGR, Angela Jane Killeen from Colne, Kathryn
Walmsley from Clitheroe, Janet Lorraine Waring from Clitheroe, Anne Pollitt from
Nelson, L Baragwanath from Rugby
William Hutton & Hollins from Workington L, Amanda Anderson from Skipton, Marion
Vernall from Ledbury
Christine Jeal & Faldo from Lancaster L, Roger Steele MBE from Sheffield, Annette
Mulcahy from Stratford-Upon-Avon
East Anglia
Jean Gammon & Lennox from Newmarket LxGR, B Darwent from Sheffield, Sarah Saunby
from Sheffield, J Roberts from Brackley
Judith Hale & Kim from Norwich GRxL, Dawn Pirie from Aberdeen, Vickie Milligan
from Henley-in-Arden
Janet Hammond & Lara from Sheringham L, Loraine Baker from Colchester, D Sparks
from Southam
Jim Jackson & Zelda from Wisbech GRxL, Robert (Bob) Donald from Perth, Janet
Ansell from Kenilworth
Kay Kennard & Zola from Great Yarmouth LxGR, Dinnie from Dundee, Janet Evans from
Warwick
Shirley Waller & Alfie from Peterborough GRxL, Carol Oxborough from Addlestone,
Brian Green from Birmingham
Anne Warner-Heyes & Sonny from Ely GR, Andrea Weddle from Enfield, Elizabeth Henry
from Leamington Spa
Graham Waspe & Opal from Stowmarket L, Lana Brand from Carnoustie, Gail Winnett
from Birmingham
East Midlands
Jenna Barke & Kryton from Chesterfield GR, Michael Dockar from Leeds
Trevor Clarke & Norton from Sheffield LxCCR, J Gears from York, JM Court from
Birmingham
Susan Earl & Aimee from Spalding GRxL, Barbara Doran from Leeds, Y Dillon from
Warwick
Chris Egginton & Laker from Sheffield GRxFCR, Anne Lifsey from Doncaster, Mr & Mrs
Rogers from Bromsgrove
Phillip Hancock & Dylan from Nottingham L, R Hopkin from Wakefield, R Stone from
Coventry
Jane Hawthorn & Reo from Nottingham L, K Hicks from Lytham St Annes, Adrian Newitt
from Leamington Spa
Lynne Keech & Eddie from Stamford GR, Paul Robinson from Sunderland, Mr & Mrs
Simpson from Leamington Spa
Colin Mather & Quin from Derby GRxGSD, SE Brown from Wirral, Julia Evans from
Bromsgrove
Georgie Ridgway & Kandy from Derby LxGR, Ann Price from Chester, Alison Morton
from Leamington Spa
Michael Tucker & Willow from Mansfield GRxL, Sandra Lum from Derby, Caroline &
Michael Evason from Warwick
Brian Walton & Kado from Newark GRxL, Shirley Ann Charlesworth from Nottingham, Y
Dillon from Warwick
East Scotland
Vicky Mary Bubb & Hana from Perth LxGR, Derek & Margaret Hyslop from Dunfermline,
J Baines from Burton-on-Trent
Allison Buchan & Olga from Montrose GRxL, Diane McRoberts from Dunfermline, C
Jones from Leamington Spa
Paul William Byres & Abbie from Aberdeen GRxGSD, Rob & Valerie Sibley from Perth,
Mr & Mrs Brennan from Warwick
Lesley Carolyn Cleghorn & Innis from Bridge Of Don GR, Mrs Discombe from Aberdeen,
Liz Eley from Warwick
Jim Gales & Zeb from Cupar LxL, Kenneth McCathie from Stirling, Dawn Norman from
Stirling, Mr & Mrs McAteer from Stourbridge
Donna Higham & Dylan from Belfast L, Steve Haberfield from Derby, Jane Chance from
Kidderminster
Ian Boyd Moncrieff & Barney from St Fillans GR, Anna Stephenson & Glen Chapman
from Dunfermline, A Baulch from Rugby
Colin Rae & Frith from Falkirk L, Ruth & Robert Morgan from Aberdeen, Annette
Mulcahy from Stratford-Upon-Avon
Iain Strachan & Erwin from Glasgow GRxFCR, G Simpson from Forfar, Mr & Mrs Rogers
from Bromsgrove
Carri Anne Walker & Lorna from Dunfermline L, Mary Slater from Kelso, Gail Jackson
from Pershore
Rosemary Wilson & Verity from Pitlochry GRxL, Lynda Buchanan from Crewe, Dr J
Blackshaw from Coventry
Isobel Yule & Spice from Huntly GR, Mr & Mrs Wright from Edinburgh, Sharon Pogson
from Bromsgrove
Essex
Peter Cooper & Angus from Wembley GRxGSD, Linda Bonnar from Cirencester, Mr & Mrs
Brennan from Warwick
Kate Crofts & Enton from Essex GRxFCR, Joanne Parker from Rayleigh, Mr & Mrs
Rogers from Bromsgrove
Stephen Delarre & Inca from Ongar IWSxL, Jackie Day from St Albans, Suzanne Jarvis
from Shifnal
Paul Harman & Spencer from Thornton Heath GRxL, Nicole Cooper from Egham, Sarah
Mitchell from Stratford-Upon-Avon
Kerry Perks & Hollie from Southend-on-Sea L, Sheila Pope from Rayleigh, C Blaver
from Northampton
Jack Read & Magnus from Witham GRxL, Sheila Marven from St Albans, Mr & Mrs
Phillips from Chipping Campden
Exeter
Alison Bell & Byron from Exmouth GRxL, JS Parris from Chipping Norton, Antony &
Sue Allingham & Miss Harris from Telford
George Henry Collins & Della from Exeter L, Dennis & Valerie Coomber from Malvern,
C Blaver from Northampton
Oliver Gibbons & Otis from Exmouth L, George McCaffery from Corsham, Sarah Pagan
from Leamington Spa
Sandra McConnell & Sacha from Winchester GR, DA Miller from Plymouth, Sharon
Pogson from Bromsgrove
Nicholas Mills & Breeze from Plymouth GRxL, James from Pontypool, Sue Robinson
from Worcester
Steven Moore & Penny from Exeter GRxL, Mr & Mrs Hall from Glenrothes, Jackie Page
from Coventry
Heather Siewruk & Susie from Plymouth GRxL, Fiona Newman from Tunbridge Wells,
Michelle Murphy from Leicester
Murray Treanor & Bella from Jersey GRxL, Sue Robinson from Worcester, Sue Robinson
from Worcester
Greater Manchester
Michael Allen & Tommy from Oldham L, DP Fletcher from Bolton, Margaret Reynolds
from Rugby
David Beckett & Joanne from Salford L, Irene Lonsdale from Sheffield, Sarah Saunby
from Sheffield, D Sparks from Southam
Norma Brown & Dana from Rochdale L, Susan Janet Whittham from Rochdale, Linda
Meredith from Littleborough, Jane Chance from Kidderminster
Ethel Chadwick Booth & Coral from Oldham L, Susan Dearden from Bolton, Nicola &
Ian Roberts from Craven Arms
Andrew Collier & Cossa from Bolton GRxGSD, John Hopper from Durham, SH Cox from
Axminster
Kevin Crompton & Victor from Glossop L, Neil & Carol Wood from Dundee, Phil Revill
from Southam
Susan Flack & Ebony from Sale LxGR, Andrea Clark from Kinross, Jude Jennison from
Warwick
Kevin Frost & Alfie from Stockport L, Andrea Leigh from Manchester, Penny
Lesingham from Daventry
Stephen Goulden & Eaton from Sale GRxGSD, Alan Turner from Bolton, Anne
Cadwallader from Southam
Derek Heyes & Greg from Bolton L, Gillian Pearson from Bishop Auckland, Elaine
Roberts from Stourbridge
Alan McLoughlin & Bracken from Stockport GRxL, David Rawlins from Liverpool, Ellen
Summerton from Leamington Spa
Hull
Kathleen Beadle & Vixen from Easington GRxL, David Brunt from Rotherham, Dr J
Blackshaw from Coventry
Jason Best & Fitz from Goole GRxL, Ruth Rimmer from Southport, Mr & Mrs Davies
from Telford
Verity Peat & Ushi from Selby GSD, Mr & Mrs Begg from Dundee, M Moulds from Rugby,
Ted Reed & Petra from Hull L, Margaret Elizabeth Bland from York, Rebecca Jackson
from Kidderminster
John Silman & Zeb from Barton-Upon-Humber GR, Jan Harker from Newcastle Upon Tyne,
Linda Mallette from Worcester
Kent and East Sussex
Nadine Jackson & Abbi from Maidstone GRxL, Vanessa Johnson from Sittingbourne, Sam
Oakley from Rugby
Andy Lee & Vinnie from Cambridge L, Tom Coy from London, Phil Revill from Southam
Merseyside
Dave Bonner & Annie from Chester GSD, Reverend Nicholas Wells from Liverpool, Mair
Harris from Droitwich
Bobbie Boothroyd & Herbie from Colwyn Bay GRxL, Lynda Hamblet from Bolton, MR
Armitage from Leamington Spa
Laura Davies & Darcy from Chester L, Pauline Smith from Rochdale, R Stone from
Coventry
Brenda Gleave & Emmy from Rhyl LxGR, June Parkes from Northwich, Chris Howes from
Altrincham, Paula McLean from Warwick
June Jarvis & Josh from Chester L, Jill Clyde from Sheffield, Dianne Merker from
Malvern
Eric Lorenz & Kelsey from Llandudno GRxL, Freda Nicholson from Selkirk, Y Dillon
from Warwick
Alan McComb & Edward from Liverpool LxGR, Alastair & Isobel Robson from
Dunfermline, J Roberts from Brackley
James McNee & Ulric from Liverpool GRxL, Vivien Marie Blenkinsop from Harrogate,
Justus Klaar from Stourbridge
Gordon McWilliams & Pickle from Birkenhead GRxL, Doctor Claire Doidge from
Sheffield, Jessie Baker from Sheffield, Geraldine Joy Eva Newman from Cheadle,
Jeanette Piggins from Southampton
Bryan Rigg & Mickey from Wilmslow GRxL, Wendy Reid from Warrington, Mr & Mrs Platt
from Solihull
Gillian Sanderson & Ushi from Liverpool GRxFCR, Eileen Edwards from Wigan, Sue
Hollis from Worcester
John Simpson & Kenton from Liverpool GRxL, Wendy Cunningham from Dundee, Caroline
& Michael Evason from Warwick
Anne Thomas & Ushka from Liverpool GRxFCR, Amanda Grimley from Nottingham, Lynn
Maule from Nottingham, Sue Hollis from Worcester
Janice Thomas & Urma from Liverpool GR, Ann Rogerson from Manchester, Anne
Wilkinson from Coventry
Patricia Vam Der Merwe & Stella from Mold L, John Davis from Bolton, Jackie
Bickerton from Warwick
Northern Ireland
Julie Graham & Delsa from Cushendall L, Elayne Flynn from Dalkeith, C Blaver from
Northampton
Daniel Kane & Denby from Ballyclare GRxL, Annette Bastianelli from Dunfermline
Deborah Ridings & Kylie from Donaghadee LxGR, Maria Thorburn from Glasgow, Alison
Morton from Leamington Spa
Alan Stevenson & Zac from Belfast LxL, Lucy Marsden from Dalry, Mr & Mrs McAteer
from Stourbridge
Northumberland & Tyne and Wear
Eric Colman & Ernie from South Shields LxGR, Carol Sproull from Montrose, Jude
Jennison from Warwick
Heather Guy & Sable from Bishop Auckland L, Christine Brannigan from Airdrie,
Aileen Kerr from Troon, Jill Gordon-Lennox from Worcester
Susan Jones & Pelham from Gateshead GRxL, Sheila Adam from Dundee, Jeanette
Piggins from Southam
Andrew Mawdsley & Kit from Ashington IWSxL, Mr & Mrs Ainsworth from Arbroath,
Suzanne Jarvis from Shifnal
Ailsa McCollum-Oldroyd & Peggy from Morpeth LxGR, James Ballard (Jim) Rogers from
Aberdeen, Ruby Lavery from Alford, Janet Evans from Warwick
Reg Pallas & Sean from Sunderland GRxL, Lois Critchley from Banchory, Mo O'Brien
from Ellon, Molly McDonnell from Warwick
Sheila Tyrrell and Lara from North Shields L, Mr and Mrs Innes from Dunfermline,
Mrs Thomas, Leamington Spa.
Ian Watson & Freddie from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne L, Dick & Pamela Milestone from
Dundee, D Ward from Rugby
Sheffield
Hazel Edwards & Zara from Doncaster GRxL, Gillian Matthews from Chester, Paula
Ross from Southam
Royal Fereday & Robbie from Rotherham LxGR, Gavin Woods from Doncaster, Gwen
Cheyney from Southam
Keith Harness & Valdez from Germany GRxL, Joyce Sydserff from Sheffield, Janie Lee
from Solihull
Gary Heelbeck & Veda from Doncaster L, Nicola Molyneux from Wirral, D Taylor from
Liverpool, Phil Revill from Southam
Valerie Mellor & Uma from Doncaster LxGR, Tracey Jane Hutsby from Heanor, Pippa
Challenger from Evesham
Kevin Seabrook & Jake from Sheffield CCRxL, Caroline Bagley from Sheffield, P
Goodrich from Leicester
Janet Spackman & Greg from Sheffield LxGR, Sara Elizabeth Williams from Derby, L
Baragwanath from Rugby
Eileen Thompson & Dexter from Doncaster GR, Janette Mary Adamson from Derby, Liz
Eley from Warwick
Shires and London Boroughs
Terry Brewell & Zed from Bracknell GRxL, Sarah Murphy from London, Maddie Mason
from Luton, Paula Ross from Southam
Kevin Crowter & Denby from Weybridge L, Bryon Pearce from Barnet, Jane Chance from
Kidderminster
Tara Croxford & Baxter from Milton Keynes GR, Myriam Steadman from Welling, A
Baulch from Rugby
Michael Grantham & Gabby from Witney GSD, Peter John Bratt from Holmfirth, Amanda
Turner from Shrewsbury
Rita Greenwood & Peter from Oxted GRxFCR, Gillian Martin from Luton, Mr & Mrs
Rogers from Bromsgrove
Frances Hughes & Dana from Banbury L, Angela Filmer from Chatham, C Blaver from
Northampton
Jean Maskell & Prisca from Eastleigh GRxL, Ruth Savage from Peterborough, Sarah
Mitchell from Stratford-Upon-Avon
Angela Ridley & Roxy from Burgess Hill LxGR, Christine James from Chelmsford, Gwen
Cheyney from Southam
Andrew Stewart & Quin from Chesham GRxL, Gillian Bane from Cambridge, Mr & Mrs
Platt from Solihull
Rachel Stokes & Zilla from Bracknell LxL, Rosalind Langstone from Chelmsford,
Carolyn Lantaff from Rayleigh, Mr & Mrs McAteer from Stourbridge
Alex Turner & Nora from Whyteleafe LxCCR, Derek Songhurst from Maidstone, JM Court
from Birmingham
Shrewsbury
Lisa Bradshaw & Ollie from Rowley Regis GR, Tracey Digby from Leigh, Mr & Mrs
Simpson from Leamington Spa
Jennifer Burgess & Lara from Telford L, Nick & Pauline Ellis from Warwick, Marion
Vernall from Ledbury
Alison Burns & Inez from Walsall LxGR, Nikki McCormack from St Albans, L
Baragwanath from Rugby
Karl Denning & Quasia from Dudley GRxGSD, Wendy Moore from Northampton, SH Cox
from Axminster
Janet Hewitt & Alec from Stoke -on-Trent GRxL, B Jones from Bridgwater, Sam Oakley
from Rugby
Caroline Kinnings & Amber from Wolverhampton GRxGSD, Peter Byrne from Liverpool,
Mr & Mrs Brennan from Warwick
Paul Sambrooks & Bailey from Stoke On Trent GRxL, Linda Whitwell from Kettering,
Dr J Blackshaw from Coventry
Ann Tomlinson & Wanda from Stone GRxL, Mrs Etchells from Macclesfield, Mr & Mrs
Gowling from Coventry
Louise Walker & Freda from Walsall L, Ruth Roderick from Nuneaton, Annette Mulcahy
from Stratford-Upon-Avon
Jacqueline Wood & Kyle from Tamworth LxGR, Jennifer Winslow from Stratford-UponAvon, Ann Thompson from Coventry, Alison Morton from Leamington Spa
South of Scotland
Charlotte Bennie & Whitney from Newton Stewart L, Jim Connelly from Lochgelly,
Anna Roberts from Forres, Terri Chambers from Redditch
David Congalton & Yarris from Glasgow GRxL, Peggy & Tony Thornton from
Tillicoultry, MR Armitage from Leamington Spa
Ian Drysdale & Hamish from Edinburgh STPxL, Mr & Mrs Kelly from Alloa, Ruth Wood
from Coventry
Maria McPhail & Umber from Edinburgh GRxL, Mr & Mrs Penman from Glenrothes, S
Boden from Rugeley
Paul Meadows & Zeus from Bathgate GRxL, Tom Innes from Dunfermline, Paula Ross
from Southam
Alexander Miller & Otis from Broxburn GR, COM Russell from Aberdeen, Mr & Mrs
Simpson from Leamington Spa
Alistair Shennan & Kyron from Castle Douglas LxGR, Gill Geddes from Edinburgh,
Alison Morton from Leamington Spa
Freda Steel & Ice from Musselburgh LxGR, Leonard Hopkins from Macduff, Mr & Mrs
Dennis from Sutton Courtney
Southampton
Dennis Baker & Hester from Ryde GRxL, Wendy Poland from London, S Hoffman from
Coventry
Eva Carson & Upton from Havant GRxFCR, Carey & Karen Bambrook from Warwick, Sue
Hollis from Worcester
Leslie Castle & Newton from Buckfastleigh LxCCR, Leigh Tromans from Kidderminster,
JM Court from Birmingham
Gillian Drummond & Arty from Ryde L, Gabrielle Wootton from Bewdley, Trudy Evans
from Coventry
Barry Gilbert & Jason from Ferndown GSD, Janet Curzon from Chatham, Angela Stocks
from Leicester
Judith Green & Ellie from Wimborne LxGR, Jaqueline Hookham from Cardiff, Jude
Jennison from Warwick
Zainul Islam & Bella from Havant LxGR, Christine Powell from Holsworthy, Nick
Hanson from Coventry
Rita Nobbs & Perry from Portsmouth LxGR, Gill Chard from Penarth, J Baines from
Burton-on-Trent
Christopher Sidney Pett & Trent from Petersfield GR, Ruth Oliver from Worcester, P
Goodrich from Leicester
Nicola Pullinger & Keene from Andover LxGR, Ian Wonnacott from Okehampton, Alison
Morton from Leamington Spa
Janet Smith & Emerson from Chippenham GRxFCR, Mr & Mrs Palma from Bristol, Anne
Skinner from Wells, Mr & Mrs Rogers from Bromsgrove
Christopher Wilde & Kilroy from Southampton GRxL, Debbie White from Bridgwater,
Caroline & Michael Evason from Warwick
Surrey and West Sussex
John Blackall & Buster from Horsham GRxL, George Odell from Chelmsford, Sue
Robinson from Worcester
June Bowden & Rosa from Espom L, Tessa Kirkwood from Cambridge, Mr & Mrs Coughlan
from Rugby
Jonathan Fisher & Eddie from Egham GRxL, George Odell from Chelmsford, Steve &
Michelle Parsons from Cirencester
Deborah Goad & Broome from Chessington LxGR, Jacqui Webb from Gravesend, J Baines
from Burton-on-Trent
Eveline Moore & Chipper from Teddington GRxL, David Purl from Bexleyheath, Janie
Lee from Solihull
Michael Parsons & Quin from Wallington GRxGSD, Jacqueline Surman from Halstead, SH
Cox from Axminster
Teesside, Durham and North Yorkshire
William Harris & Harper from Stockton On Tees GSD, M Thomson from Edinburgh,
Amanda Turner from Shrewsbury
Hemsley Mallaby & Griff from Bishop Auckland GSD, Mr & Mrs Mitchell from
Inverurie, Amanda Turner from Shrewsbury
Linda Oliver & Zoe from Stockton-on-Tees GRxL, Anne Roberts from Edinburgh, Paula
Ross from Southam
David Pickering & Guy from Middlesbrough GSD, Elizabeth Bullimore from Pontypool,
Amanda Turner from Shrewsbury
David Snowden & Eddie from Hartlepool L, Sarah Barnes from Maldon, Marion Vernall
from Ledbury
Carole Ann Taylor & Veda from Shildon GRxL, William Macdonald from West Calder, Dr
J Blackshaw from Coventry
Dorothy Toyne & Hazel from Filey L, Lorna Coley from Epsom, D Sparks from Southam
Alison Trelfa & Remy from Middlesbrough LxGR, Leonard Hopkins from Macduff, Gwen
Cheyney from Southam
Warwickshire
Brian Baker & Wicksy from Oxfordshire L, Sally Graham from Cinderford, Shirley
Bean from Leamington Spa, Terri Chambers from Redditch
Trevor Clark & Nevis from Rushden L, George & Betty Wright from Dundee, Mr & Mrs
Yarwood from Birmingham
Johnathon Dodson & Dave from Leicester GR, Ann Thompson from Coventry, Mr & Mrs
Simpson from Leamington Spa
Barry Drayford & Archie from Coventry L, Janice Thompson from Abingdon, Penny
Lesingham from Daventry
Diana Gidlow & Apple from Nuneaton GR, Nan Phillips from Usk
Anthony Price & Rio from Leicester GRxL, Nan Phillips from Usk, Suzanne Jarvis
from Shifnal
Theresa Reddington & Ruby from Leamington Spa LxCCR, Sheila Stephens from
Pontypridd, Mr & Mrs Clarke from Brierley Hill
David Tinkler & Hogan from Kettering LxGR, Ian Cann from Cardiff, Paula McLean
from Warwick
Paul Vandrill & Piper from Market Harborough GSD, Marjorie Culham from Manningtree
Maura Walsh & Neena from Kettering L, Neil & Kate Thackeray from Worcester, Mrs
Hallam from Walsall
West of Scotland
Alison Brownlie & Isla from Glasgow LxGR, Ann Fraser from Kirkcaldy, Mr & Mrs
Dennis from Sutton Courtney
Eleanor Lindsay & Erica from Glasgow LxGR, Sharon Stewart from Erskine, Marjory &
Neil Dexter from Glasgow, J Roberts from Brackley
Neil Skene & Rumba from Inverurie LxGR, Daniel Rooney from St Andrews, Gwen
Cheyney from Southam
Vikki Thomson & Josh from Kirkwall CCRxL, Joanne Thomas from Tillicoultry, P
Goodrich from Leicester
Ann Walker & Wheat from Paisley GRxL, Angela Bird from Broxburn, Platt from
Solihull
West Yorkshire
Angela Hoey & Danni from Halifax L, Helen Bourne from Bolton, Barrie Southall from
Blackpool, C Blaver from Northampton
Laraine Kingston & Buddy from Ilkley GRxL, Liesl Hadley from Chelmsford, Mr & Mrs
Yarwood from Birmingham
Tammy Sykes & Tilly from Leeds L, Jean Cookson from Blackpool, Peter & Christina
Clinton from Hinckley
Worcester
Ann Baker & Verity from Birmingham L, Irene Witheyman from Gosport, Phil Revill
from Southam
Sandy Bannister & Jay from Worcester IWSxL, C Jordan from Bristol, Suzanne Jarvis
from Shifnal
Paul Barnes & Flurry from Redditch GR, Isobel Cooper from Bristol, Linda Mallette
from Worcester
Nigel Godwin & Annie from Bromsgrove GRxGSD, C Harris from Kingsbridge, Mr & Mrs
Brennan from Warwick
Brendon Goldingay & Victor from Birmingham GRxL, Matti Prow from Newton Abbot,
Denis Callicott from Plymouth, Carol Townsend from Plymouth, Doctor J Blackshaw
from Coventry
Yvonne Griffiths & Derek from Hereford LxGR, Carole Prior from Rugby, Lynne Marie
May from Northampton
Maxine Hammond & Pickle from Redditch LxGR, Elaine Whiteley from Solihull, Janet
Evans from Warwick
Alan Johnson & Eunice from Birmingham L, Anne Pollitt from Nelson, Margaret
Reynolds from Rugby
Dora Larner & Ben from Nr Cirencester L, Sharon Atkins from Stourbridge, D Sparks
from Southam
Tom McKenna & Yasmin from Redditch IWSxL, Diane Hankin from Kirkcaldy, Mr & Mrs
Chatterton from Worcester
Susan Nicholls & Elsa from Birmingham LxGR, Hilary Reed from Westbury, J Roberts
from Brackley
Lubna Qureshi & Dolly from Birmingham L, Sandra Brand from Laurencekirk, C Blaver
from Northampton
Esther Ryan & Olive from Birmingham L, Sue Nason from Southam, Gail Winnett from
Birmingham
Peter Summers & Edmund from Birmingham LxGR, Diane Page from Clacton-on-Sea,
Nicola Matthews from Stratford-Upon-Avon
Robert Wills & Grant from Droitwich LxGR, Mary Robertson from Birmingham, P
Goodrich from Leicester
Forward Breeding Stock Qualifiers for period: 1 Oct 2010 to 31 Dec 2010
Alison, 16.12.10, GSD, Bitch, Mr & Mrs Brennan from Warwick, Mr Stringer from
Bolton
Dusky, 02.11.10, L, Bitch, Miss S Boggan from Leamington Spa, Mrs V Litherland
from Calne, Mrs A Page from Swindon
Pebbles, 22.10.10, GR, Bitch, Outside Bred, Mrs L Fryer from Ashford
Forward Magazine Spring 2011
Contact Details
List of phone numbers and contact details arising from the articles in this
edition of Forward Magazine.
“My cherished friend - forever in my heart”
Call: 0845 6031477
E-mail: giftsinmemory@guidedogs.org.uk
Visit: www.giftsinmemory.org.uk/pets
Guide Dog of the Year 2011
Call: 0118 9838364
Write: Forward, Guide Dogs, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG.
E-mail: foward@guidedogs.org.uk
Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/awards
Terms and conditions: www.guidedogs.org.uk
Guide Dogs at School
Call: 0870 6002323
Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/guidedogsatschool
ID Cards
E-mail: idcards@guidedogs.org.uk
Free Wills Scheme
Call: 0845 0204309
Visit: www.freewillsmonth.org.uk
Disability Living Allowance Campaign
Call: 0800 284348
E-mail: campaigns@guidedogs.org.uk
Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/campaigns
Puppy Walking in the Work Place
Contact: Richard Huggins
Call: 07717 815570
Guide Dogs Fun Days
Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk or www.guidedogs.org.uk/opendays
“Guide Dogs Could Change Your Life” DVD
Contact: Hannah Vickers or Jackie Brookes
E-mail: hannah.vickers@guidedogs.org.uk or Jackie.brookes@guidedogs.org.uk
Taking the Lead
Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/blog
Vision for Equality Conference
Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/visionforequality
Mastering the Arts
Annie’s Website: www.blindalleyart.co.uk
Barrie’s Website: www.lowvisionart.org
Matthew’s Website: www.matthew-rhodes.blogspot.com
Gearing up to the test
Visit: www.worldcyclingtour.worldpress.com
Go Walkies
Visit: www.gowalkies.org.uk
Become a fan: www.facebook.com/gowalkies
“Go Walkies” app: www.gowalkies.mobi
Competitions
Write to: Forward Competition, Guide Dogs, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading
RG7 3YG.
E-mail: forward@guidedogs.org.uk
Crufts
Visit: www.crufts.org.uk/ticket-office
Wellsgreen Golf Academy
E-mail: info@sdgp.co.uk
Visit: www.sdgp.co.uk
Brighton Marathon
Visit: www.brightonmarathon.co.uk
London Marathon
Visit: www.londonmarathon.co.uk
Belfast Marathon
Visit: www.justgiving.com/guidedogsgals or www.belfastcitymarathon.com
South West Disability Show
Visit: www.ukwheelchairchallenge.co.uk
We’ll never forget
Write to: Forward, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG.
E-mail: forward@guidedogs.org.uk
In Memory
Contact: Joette Emerton
Call: 0118 9838385
Le Tour 2011
Call: 0845 6006787
Text: “DOGS” and your name to 88802
Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/letour
Close
This is the end of the Spring 2011 issue of Forward, the quarterly magazine of the
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.