FORWARD: Autumn 2013 Guide Dogs presents the Autumn 2013 issue of Forward, the magazine of Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Instructions The list of contents following this paragraph uses hyperlinks within the titles – if you press enter whilst the cursor is within the text of the article title you will be taken straight to the beginning of that article. If you are using a mouse, press control and then right click on the title to use the hyperlink. To return to the contents use alt and left arrow, alternatively if your version of word does not support this there is a hyperlink back to the contents at the end of each article. All subheadings in articles are preceded with ++ if you would like to tab through an article by the subheadings you can type ++ into the search and reach each heading by pressing enter. 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 The official Guide Dogs magazine On the road to independence Our exciting work with children and young people Goldie: memories of a famous Guide Dogs mum Guide Dogs Week 2013 It’s just around the corner Also inside: Meet Guide Dogs’ Chairman, John Stewart Our pups go visiting Me and My Guide Dog - and other media successes Thanks to our supporters Contents The contents, in order, are as follows: Regulars - Welcome Regulars - The Team Regulars - News Guide Dogs Annual Awards Hospital opens canine crèche A ton of puppies Regulars - View from the top Looking to the future with Guide Dogs’ CEO Features - Guide Dogs in the media A round-up of our TV, radio and print coverage Features - Go Walkies Mr Great Britain International joins Go Walkies at Chatsworth Features - My Guide has the wow factor Meet 98-year-old Janet and her My Guide friends Features - Memories of a famous guide dog “mum” We take a nostalgic look back at Blue Peter Regulars - A day in the life of… Reverend Barbara Holbrook and guide dog puppy Gerry Features - Every name tells a story A guide dog puppy with a very special name Features - Pleased to meet you An interview with Guide Dogs’ Chairman, John Stewart Features - All in a day’s work and play Our puppies seem to get everywhere! Features - Streets ahead Guide Dogs’ campaigns really make a difference Regulars - In memory Regulars - Your letters Features - On the road to independence Young people with sight loss growing in confidence Regulars - What’s on? Guide Dogs week is nearly here Regulars - Competitions People and dogs - Thank you to our supporters People and dogs - We’ll never forget People and dogs - In good company Regulars - Promotions Regulars - Contact Details People and dogs - New partnerships Please recycle this magazine [Back to contents] Welcome Editor’s welcome With only days to go until the start of Guide Dogs Week, there’s a real buzz of excitement in the air. The theme for 2013 is Stand Out for Guide Dogs and I know that thousands of our supporters have raided their wardrobes for their brightest clothes so their activities will really make an impact. We’re aiming to raise £500,000 during Guide Dogs Week this year, as well as spreading the message about our life-changing work. Find out how you can get involved by clicking here. Raising money is, of course, vital for Guide Dogs. The more money we raise, the more blind and partially sighted people we can set on the road to freedom. Starting in this edition, we will be making a number of pages of Forward available to advertisers. This will help us pay for printing and distribution, and we hope you find it a useful addition to your magazine. Talking of useful additions, we’re always interested to hear if there are topics you’d like to read more about in Forward. In this issue, there’s an opportunity to let us know what you’d like to read more of - and to give us your views on other aspects of the magazine - by taking part in our Forward Survey. We had a great response from last year’s survey and we’re taking action on your comments. I hope you’ll all take a few minutes to complete the survey so that we can make Forward as interesting, informative and enjoyable as possible. You can complete the survey online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/forward2013 or by calling our telephone survey on 0800 6888404. In order to complete it, you’ll need your supporter number which is printed under your address. Thanks in advance for your views - they’re invaluable. Very best wishes Tracey Gurr Editor Tracey Gurr is pictured at the start of this section. Tracey has short brown hair and is wearing a black top underneath a black jacket, with a blue, white and green patterned scarf around her neck. Tracey is looking at the camera and smiling. [Back to contents] The Team Editor: Tracey Gurr Editorial Line: 0118 9838811 Contributors: Fiona MacAulay, Annabel Williams, James Kell, Lucy Llewelyn, Hannah Vickers, Hannah Robertson, Rachael Smith Designed by: Guide Dogs http://www.guidedogs.org.uk Contributions: Send items to Forward at the Head Office address or e-mail forward@guidedogs.org.uk. Unfortunately, due to the sheer volume of ideas we receive, we cannot acknowledge every item. We reserve the right to edit or refuse. Forward is available in Braille, large print, audio CD and online as audio and text files. It is also available as a PDF from our website and in a range of languages - for this and mailing enquiries call 0118 9838138. Founding Editor: The late Captain Nikolai Liakhoff MBE FRZS Registered Head Office: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG Tel: 0118 9835555 Fax: 0118 9835433 http://www.guidedogs.org.uk E-mail: info@guidedogs.org.uk (Copyright) 2010 Registered charity in England and Wales (209617) and in Scotland (SC038979) On the front cover is a photograph of two-year-old Ellie. Ellie is wearing a colourful striped dress over a yellow t-shirt and has a white cane in her hand. Ellie has been photographed playing in her garden. The main caption on the cover reads: “On the road to independence - Our exciting work with children and young people”. This photograph is courtesy of Stewart Turkington. The Guide Dogs’ logo is pictured on the bottom right hand side of the page, the logo is a blue shield with the text “GUIDE DOGS” written in white, with a picture of a person walking a guide dog, also in white. Full colour advertising is available in Forward. For information on rates, publication dates and circulation, please call 0845 3727330 or e-mail forwardadvertising@guidedogs.org.uk. Terms and conditions apply. Any products or services advertised in Forward by third parties are not in any way endorsed by Guide Dogs and Guide Dogs shall not be responsible for the accuracy of any information contained in such advertisements nor has it investigated or verified any of the information. [Back to contents] News ++Guide Dogs Annual Awards 2013 We’re counting down to the Guide Dogs Annual Awards on 11 December when we’ll be honouring some very special guide dog owners, volunteers, supporters and, of course, dogs at a glittering ceremony at the London Hilton Park Lane. Nominations have now closed and the judges have had the very challenging job of selecting the finalists. The categories for Inspirational Guide Dog Owner and Lifetime Achievement have attracted a particularly high number of nominations - a big thank you to all those Forward readers who wrote in. There are still opportunities for individuals and companies to get involved by buying tables at the Awards or becoming sponsors - if you know a company or an individual who may be interested, please e-mail kerry.hemmings@guidedogs.org.uk or call 0118 9838392. We’ll bring you stories of the winners in the next edition. Included here is a photograph of last year’s Guide Dog of the Year finalists and their owners. The guide dogs are patiently sitting in front of their owners and have their working harnesses on. ++Making a difference surveys - you spoke, we listened A big thank you to everyone who completed our “making a difference” surveys about volunteering at Guide Dogs. Volunteers are vital, so it’s crucial that we listen to your feedback. That’s why you’ll find our new “you asked, we spoke” logo popping up, alerting you to our progress in taking on board your survey responses. So far, the national feedback and recommendations have been taken to Guide Dogs’ trustees, directors and senior managers for their approval. The results have also been broken down into local areas so local teams can decide how to make best use of the feedback. To find out more, please visit our “Making a difference survey” pages on the Volunteer Information Point, or talk to your local teams. Or, to give more general feedback, please e-mail volunteerfeedback@guidedogs.org.uk Included within this article is the “You asked, we spoke” logo. The logo is a blue speech bubble with the words “You spoke, we listened” overlapping a green speech bubble with the words “Volunteers making a difference”. ++Celebrations in Birmingham On 27 May Guide Dogs took part in the Birmingham Lord Mayor’s Show to celebrate the end of his term in office and their involvement as one of his chosen charities. As well as a murder mystery night and the Gala Ball, the more adventurous took part in a sponsored abseil down the House of Fraser building. Pictured here is a photograph of Guide Dogs’ Sue Bushell and Viv Jones with Birmingham Lord Mayor John Lines standing between them. Sue Bushell and Viv Jones are both wearing blue Guide Dogs fleeces. ++Guides for Life In the last edition of Forward we told you about the “Guides for Life” advertising campaign we’ve been testing in London. The test was a great success: amongst the people targeted, there’s been an increase in awareness of Guide Dogs from two percent to 13 percent, and a shift in understanding of what Guide Dogs does - from “training dogs” to “delivering freedom and independence to blind people.” Louise Robertshaw, Guide Dogs’ Head of Communications and Campaigns, said: “The results of the Guides for Life campaign really demonstrate the difference this type of activity could make in terms of public perception.” We’re now looking at how we can make these activities part of our day-to-day work and incorporate them into our fundraising. Included here is a poster image of a couple sat on a park bench with a guide dog sat patiently at their feet. The caption reads “Destination Love”. ++UK Vision Strategy Prime Minister David Cameron has backed the launch of the UK Vision Strategy 2013 - 2018, a framework for change to improve eye health in the UK and support for people with sight loss. The Strategy was launched in June at the Vision UK 2013 conference in Westminster and involves hundreds of organisations across the UK. Mr Cameron said: “This collaborative approach has to be the way to improve services and support for people with vision problems. I am therefore pleased to welcome the aims of the UK Vision Strategy.” Guide Dogs has played a key role in the development of the strategy, which you can read by visiting: http://www.vision2020uk.org.uk/ukvisionstrategy ++Patrons for puppies Recently the National Breeding Centre celebrated the birth of its 3,000th puppy - an amazing number of future life-changing guide dogs in just over two years since the centre opened. To help meet the costs of running the centre, we’re appealing for new patrons to donate an annual gift of £1,000. It’s a great way to support our work and, in return, patrons receive regular progress reports and have the opportunity to visit the centre. Could you be a patron? Please call 0118 9838350 or e-mail Karen.barns@guidedogs.org.uk to find out more. ++Welsh school sponsors class of guide dog puppies A Flintshire school has become the first in Wales to sponsor a class of guide dog puppies. Reception pupils at Ysgol Bryn Coch in Mold will follow the progress of Fergie, Harley and Flint as they’re transformed from playful puppies to fully-trained guide dogs. They will receive regular “Pupdates”, photos, lesson plans, activity sheets, a wall chart and poster, and take-home gifts. Revealing the names of the puppies during assembly, headteacher Lynne Williams said: “Flint, in particular, is very appropriate for us, as Mold is in Flintshire! We decided to do this after raising money at our Christmas concerts and other events.” The school already has strong links with Guide Dogs courtesy of infants’ dinner lady, who’s been a puppy walker for more than 40 years. Pictured here is a photograph of the Ysgol Bryn Coch school reception class with Guide Dogs puppy walker Margaret Black and her guide dog puppy in training. ++A Dog Called Dez This book tells the inspirational story of one man’s redemption thanks to his four-legged friend. John Tovey’s life had not followed an easy path and worse was to come when, at the age of 42, he lost his sight overnight. Guide dog Dez helped him turn his life around, and in recognition of this, Dez was crowned Guide Dog of the Year in 2012. Published by John Blake Publishing, A Dog Called Dez is available from October from Amazon and all good bookshops, price £12.99. Included here is the cover image for the book “A Dog Called DEZ”. The image on the cover is of the top half of Dez’s black face and grey muzzle, looking up towards the title. ++Hospital opens canine crèche There are some areas in a hospital that aren’t suitable for guide dogs and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham has come up with a novel solution, and the first of its kind - a canine crèche behind reception. The hospital has already teamed up with Guide Dogs’ Birmingham Mobility Team to provide sighted guide training for volunteers. Now visitors with sight loss can leave their guide dog safely at reception, while a volunteer escorts them to their appointment. Pictured here is an image of staff and volunteers from Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, and Guide Dogs, at the canine crèche. Also included in the photograph are two guide dogs, who are sitting patiently with them. ++Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award You may remember that last year Guide Dogs was given royal recognition for our work with our amazing volunteers. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award celebrated the vital contribution made by volunteers from 60 organisations across Britain. A celebration was held at Buckingham Palace in the spring. Rachel Wilkinson, Guide Dogs’ Head of Volunteering, and Vice-Chairman Amos Miller were honoured to attend on behalf of Guide Dogs. To find out more about volunteering at Guide Dogs, visit http://www.guidedogs.org.uk or call 0845 3717771. ++Door-to-Door Strategy Guide Dogs is working with the Department for Transport on its Door-to-Door Strategy. The strategy sets out the government’s vision for a transport system that “works for everyone.” At Guide Dogs, we know that strategies like this have the potential to make a positive impact on the freedom and independence of people who are blind or partially sighted. With this in mind, we’re working with the Department for Transport to look at how the strategy might be shaped to support people with sight loss. You can read more about the government’s Door-to-Door Strategy at: http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/door-to-door-strategy ++Classic blind drive Guide dog owner Alec Glover from Somersham, Cambridgeshire, and two other blind men recently got behind the wheels of three classic cars. Together with Michael Scadden, 64, and Tom Poole, 80, 68-year-old Alec drove a car at Waterbeach barracks. Alec explained: “It all came about because we did a talk on the theme “driving into darkness” to the Cambridgeshire Advanced Driving and Riders association, as Mike and I were both lorry drivers who became blind. Tom Poole was there and he has a classic car collection - even though this was the first time he’s ever driven. He collects them as an investment. Tom said he would let us drive his cars if we could find a place to do it.” Mike also enjoyed his ride. He said: “What an amazing experience. It was nice to get back behind the wheel again.” Included here is a photograph of Alec and his guide dog with Michael and Tom at Waterbeach barracks. They are all standing next to one of Tom’s classic cars with a Guide Dogs volunteer and her guide dog puppy in training. This photograph is courtesy of The Hunts Post. ++A ton of puppies Guide Dogs Northern Ireland celebrated the arrival of their 100th puppy with a Puppy Party at the La Mon Hotel, near Belfast. In a riot of noses and tails, 37 puppies in training joined the celebrations, along with the volunteer puppy walkers who take such good care of them in their first year. Winsome Kilpatrick was there with her fourth puppy, Tony, and explained: “It’s a challenging full-time job but it’s very rewarding knowing the difference you’re making to someone’s life.” Pictured here is a photograph of the volunteer puppy walkers and their puppies at the Puppy Party. ++Could you be a My Guide volunteer? Regular Forward readers will know that our My Guide volunteers provide a great service, helping people with sight loss get out of their homes and back into the community. It’s a great way to get involved with our work and there are some areas where we particularly need people to come forward - in Rotherham, for instance, we have 13 blind or partially sighted people waiting to be matched with a volunteer My Guide and more than 20 on a waiting list in the London area. If you’d like to help, please visit http://www.guidedogs.org.uk or call 0118 9838187. Included to the right of this section is the “My Guide” logo, the logo is a blue circle with the text “My Guide” written in white with a picture of a person helping guide a visually impaired person to the left of the text in white. [Back to contents] View from the top View from the top Chief Executive Richard Leaman shares his views In the last edition of Forward, we said goodbye to a highly valued member of the Guide Dogs community - former Director of Mobility Services, Graham Smith. I’m now delighted to welcome Graham’s successor, Steve Vaid. Steve comes to us from Action for Blind People, bringing a wealth of experience, and says he feels “excited and extremely privileged” to be joining Guide Dogs. We’ll interview him in a future edition of Forward. Steve’s chosen a great time to join us. Not only are we increasing the number of guide dog partnerships we create each year, we’re also reaching out to thousands more people who are blind or partially sighted with our other services. In 2014, we’ll be recruiting more staff to our My Guide service - supporting people with sight loss to get out and about in their communities - and we are also expanding our work with children and young people, now that we’ve joined forces with the National Blind Children’s Society (NBCS). Exciting times for a growing organisation. At Guide Dogs, we’ve never provided a “one size fits all” service; we look at people’s individual needs. As part of that, we’re developing our ability to help people use what remaining vision they may still have for maximum benefit. We’re also carrying out two important studies into the psychological effects of sight loss; these will give us vital information about how people can be supported when they experience depression as a result of losing their sight. In a time of major economic challenge, I’m very proud that we’re bucking the trend and expanding all our services. We can only do this because we have incredibly hard-working and dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters, who are enabling us to meet and surpass our publicity and fundraising targets - for which I can’t thank you enough. Keep up the great work. Pictured within this article is a photograph of Richard Leaman. Richard is crouching next to a guide dog puppy and smiling at the camera. Richard has grey hair and is wearing a light blue shirt under a grey suit with a light green tie. [Back to contents] Guide Dogs in the media Guide Dogs in the media Getting Guide Dogs talked about on the TV and radio, online and in newspapers and magazines is crucial in raising awareness of our life-changing work, and this summer we were busier than ever spreading the word. Here are a few highlights. ++Me and My Guide Dog - ITV More than 4.67 million viewers - 22 per cent of all the people watching TV - tuned into this documentary in July, which looked at the partnership between six guide dog owners and their dogs. We had a strong online presence during the programme too, with our Twitter hashtag #myguidedog trending, and 49 tweets every minute reaching an estimated two million “tweeple”. A remarkable 1,716 people signed up to Sponsor a Puppy after seeing the show. It went down a storm with the Radio Times too, which ran a two-page feature on the partnerships shown, while coverage also appeared in TV Times, Sunday Express, Daily Mail, Mirror, The Independent, Waitrose Weekend, Closer, The Sun and The Telegraph - the list goes on. Included at the start of this section is a still from ITV’s “Me and My Guide Dog”. The still is of Mark & Claire with their guide dogs. They are both sitting on a bench with their guide dogs sat patiently at their feet. ++TOWIE ambassadors - Closer The magazine ran a story on The Only Way is Essex star Lydia Bright and her mum Debbie, who are Guide Dogs ambassadors, taking part in their local Go Walkies event. It included the web address for readers wanting to take part. Pictured here is the “Closer” magazine logo written in pink. ++Dog attacks - BBC TV and radio The BBC reported extensively on the second reading in parliament of our proposed bill aimed at changing the law on dog attacks on guide dogs, and the report which revealed the full extent of such attacks. BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC News Online and Crimewatch Roadshow ran stories explaining what we want to change, and the devastating consequences of attacks. The Independent, The Telegraph and the Daily Mail also covered it. Included here are the logos for BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC News and Crimewatch. ++The history of labradors - The One Show Following a visit to our Leamington Guide Dogs Training School and National Breeding Centre, The Apprentice’s Nick Hewer looked at the history of labradors, including why they make great guide dogs. Pictured here is the logo for “the One Show”. The logo is written in white, with a red and black background. ++“Dementia dogs” - TV and national newspapers A pilot initiative to train dogs to help people with early-stage dementia was covered on BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours, BBC Radio Scotland, STV News and Sky News, and in The Guardian and The Independent, among others. The project is the result of collaboration between Guide Dogs Scotland, Alzheimer Scotland and Dogs for the Disabled. Included here is the Guide Dogs Scotland logo. The logo is a blue shield with the text “GUIDE DOGS Scotland” written in white, with a picture of a person walking a guide dog, also in white. [Back to contents] Features Go Walkies for GUIDE DOGS Mr GB supports Go Walkies at Chatsworth Set in the heart of the Peak District in Derbyshire, Chatsworth House provided a stunning backdrop for a summer Go Walkies. More than 100 people with their doggie friends took part in the Go Walkies event for Guide Dogs, including Mr Great Britain International, Suki Hayer. After a magical walk round the gardens, taking in giant water features and beautiful flowers, participants met the Guide Dogs team, enjoyed a fun dog show, saw a guide dog demonstration and schmoozed with Mr Great Britain. If you missed our Go Walkies at Chatsworth why not join one at another of our great locations? Visit http://www.gowalkies.org.uk. Included at the start of this article is a photograph of Mr Great Britain and some of the 100 participants and dogs at the Chatsworth House Go Walkies event. There is also a quotation within this article which reads: “Thanks for a great Go Walkies event today at Chatsworth.” Doggie poll. We all know how excited our furry friends get when it comes to their favourite pastime - walkies! So we want to know where your four-legged friends like to “Go Walkies” the most. Please cast your vote now by visiting our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/gowalkies [Back to contents] Features My Guide has the wow factor 80 per cent of blind people in the UK are over 60, so a care home is a likely place to find some of them. We recently met Janet from Randell House in Camberley, Surrey. Janet is 98, completely blind and very active. When she moved into Randell House, Janet was understandably nervous, moving to a new place. It was important her first visit was a positive experience. Two days before Janet’s visit, staff and one of the residents undertook Guide Dogs’ My Guide training, learning how to guide a person with a visual impairment safely and comfortably. When Janet arrived, House Manager Shona Bradbury used her new skills. Shona said: “I used all the techniques you taught us and Janet was overjoyed when I asked if she’d like to hold on to my arm. She said: “You don’t know how good it is that you said that as it gives me control.” “What I will take away with me, though, is the resident who attended the training, how she felt empowered to assist because your training gave her the confidence to do so. I knew the training would be good, but wow!” In return for the training Randell House are generously raising £5,000 to name a guide dog puppy. To find out more about My Guide, e-mail myguide@guidedogs.org.uk or call 0118 9838187. Included here is a photograph of 98-year-old Janet with House Manager Shona. Shona is crouching down beside Janet. Janet is wearing a peach top underneath a pale blue jacket, both Janet and Shona are smiling at the camera. [Back to contents] Fond memories of a famous guide dog “mum” Fond memories of a famous guide dog “mum” A photo sent in by one of our supporters recently reminded us that ITV’s Me and My Guide Dog is just the latest example in a long tradition of our dogs becoming stars of the small screen. One of the best known was Goldie, a Blue Peter dog who gave birth to two litters of guide dog puppies in the 1980’s. Goldie was looked after by brood bitch holder Diana Wyndham-Smith, who sent us a photo of the golden retriever with her second litter of eight puppies - all of which qualified as guide dogs or breeding stock - surrounded by drawings from Blue Peter viewers. Guide Dogs and Blue Peter enjoyed a long and happy association, which began in 1965 when the programme filmed guide dog Honey as she went through her training. Many children who are now parents themselves have fond memories of Goldie and her daughter, Bonnie, and their appearances inspired lots more people to sponsor a guide dog. Goldie normally lived with Blue Peter presenter Simon Groom but, because of Mrs WyndhamSmith’s expertise, she and her husband Noel were asked to have her in their home whilst she gave birth. The job had its challenges. For the first six weeks of the puppies’ lives, before they were inoculated, the production team and photographers would crowd into the house. “I shall never forget those weeks! There were seven visits in 10 days,” remembered Diana. “We never knew what was going to happen next!” Puppies normally go to their puppy walkers at six weeks, but Blue Peter producer Biddy Baxter wanted them to make more TV appearances so they stayed with Diana for two weeks longer and strong eight-week-old puppies can be a handful! Once they were old enough, Diana took the puppies and their mum into London in her Mini Traveller, caring for the lively litter in the TV studio. After becoming a puppy walker in 1966, walking 16 puppies in all, Mrs Wyndham-Smith applied to become a brood bitch holder. The first guide dog “mum” in her care was golden retriever Bumble, who had seven litters with a total of 35 puppies. Thus began years of sleeping on a camp bed for a week before the puppies were born, assisting with births, keeping an eye on newborns to make sure one didn’t wander off, and caring for and socialising the puppies until they went to their puppy walker. Mrs Wyndham-Smith also provided transport for dogs when needed, volunteered as a boarder and, together with her husband, supported the Esher fundraising branch. “Our work for Guide Dogs is a pleasant way to spend retirement,” she told Forward in an interview in 1987. “You never walk alone can certainly be said when you’re a Guide Dogs volunteer.” Making sure her support will continue after her lifetime, Mrs Wyndham-Smith has generously left Guide Dogs a gift in her Will, which will enable us to help more people who are blind or partially sighted in the future. Two out of three guide dogs are made possible thanks to these gifts, so it’s a crucial source of funding for us. Call us on 0845 6031477 if you’re interested in supporting us in this way. Included in this article are five photographs. The first photograph is of Mrs Wyndham-Smith and Simon Groom with Goldie and her eight tiny yellow puppies. In the background are drawings that have been sent in by Blue Peter viewers. The second photograph is of one of the newly born puppies with its eyes still closed. The third photograph is of Diana in woodlands with Vennie, Goldie, Delphi and Bumble all sitting patiently at her feet. The fourth photograph is of Derek Freeman holding a small yellow Labrador puppy in his arms. Derek is sitting between Blue Peter presenters Simon Groom and Janet Ellis in the Blue Peter studio. The final picture is of Diana receiving a presentation photo from two members of the BBC. The Blue Peter logo is also included at the start of the article, the logo is of a shield with a blue outline containing a blue ship on a white background. We’re part of the National Free Wills Network which gives supporters the opportunity to have a Will written or updated for free, with no obligation to include a gift to Guide Dogs. Call 0845 6031477 or e-mail giftsinwills@guidedogs.org.uk for more information. Included here is the National Free Wills Network logo. [Back to contents] A day in the life of... Meet Reverend Barbara and Gerry It’s not often you’ll find both a guide dog puppy and their puppy walker wearing a dog collar, but Reverend Barbara Holbrook and Gerry make quite a team. She tells Forward how her community and congregation bring out the best in her puppies. “Usually we get up quite early and Gerry has breakfast and a bit of a run around before we go into a local school for an assembly. Gerry stays in the office while I tell the kids a story and then I’ll bring him in to see them. They love that and so does he. “If we’re at the Nuthall Church, which is a bit further away, and I’m not leading the service, Gerry will sit quietly next to me. If I’m leading the service at the church just next door, I’ll bring him in afterwards to meet the congregation. Lots of people come and talk to him and if there are children around they’ll come and play with him.” Black lab retriever cross Gerry, who is now nearly a year old, is Barbara’s ninth guide dog puppy. She said that her friends in the town of Kimberley, Nottinghamshire, play a big part in Gerry’s upbringing. “Because he’s so well known in the town it feels very much like Gerry is being raised by the community. He loves going to old people’s homes and coffee shops. He’s a bright dog and being in church is very good training for him because it means he knows when to sit quietly and when he can say hello to people, and the congregation are great and they understand when to make a fuss of him and when not to. “I often see people who are going through major events in their lives, whether it’s preparing for marriage, or in sad times when they are coming to terms with bereavement. “Having a dog around with you can help make things more personable and they perhaps feel they can talk that bit more openly about how they are feeling.” Included at the start of this article are two photographs. The first photograph is of Reverend Barbara Holbrook and her black labrador retriever cross guide dog Gerry. They are both sitting on the floor inside the church, looking towards the camera and Gerry has his tongue out. The second photograph is of Barbara and Gerry sitting on a small brick wall outside the church. [Back to contents] Name a Puppy Every name tells a story In the last edition of Forward we celebrated the 1,000th puppy to be named by our supporters, Penny. Penny was named by Foresters Friendly Society after they raised exactly one penny over their fundraising target. Every name donated by supporters has a great deal of meaning attached to it and many have a story behind them. People often choose a name that reminds them of a time, place, person or pet that really meant something to them. Natalie Agnew and her family recently named a guide dog puppy Cody, after their family pet who died very tragically when she was attacked by two youths in Northern Ireland. The family made the brave decision to use their loss as a chance to campaign for tougher penalties and laws on animal cruelty. The family were delighted by the support they received from their 70,000 Facebook followers from around the world and continue to work closely with the police and Public Prosecution Service to secure justice for Cody. Natalie felt a fitting tribute to Cody would be to name a guide dog puppy after her. “People have been so incredibly supportive and had donated money to help with Cody’s vet bills,” she explains. “When we had to have her put to sleep we wanted the remaining funds to go to a good cause. We held a dog rally at Stormont - home of the Northern Irish Assembly - and were delighted when over 1,000 dog owners turned up. All of this amazing help and support was what allowed us to name a guide dog puppy in tribute to Cody’s life.” Natalie and her family met Cody the guide dog puppy during the summer. Natalie said: “It was so lovely to meet Cody; the boys loved it and we can’t wait to start receiving our “Pupdates” to follow the progress of our little life changer.” There are two photographs included in this section. The first photograph is of Natalie kneeling on the ground with one of her little boys. Natalie is stroking the black guide dog puppy which the family have named “Cody”. The second photograph is of Natalie and her family sitting on the ground with guide dog puppy Cody and their black and white dog. In Scotland fundraiser extraordinaire Scott Cunningham recently named his 25th guide dog puppy! Included here is a photograph of Scott Cunningham, wearing a blue coat and blue cap and smiling at the camera. Waitrose Distribution Centre in Bracknell presented the Thames Valley volunteer branch with a cheque for £2,500 this summer and planted a tree at Guide Dogs central office. Waitrose will be using the money they raised to name a guide dog puppy. At the bottom of this article is a photograph of staff from the Waitrose Distribution Centre in Bracknell standing beside their tree at Guide Dogs central office, with some guide dog puppies in training. [Back to contents] My Guide Pleased to meet you Since becoming our Chairman last year, John Stewart has met a lot of people - and dogs - from Guide Dogs communities across the UK. So far he seems pretty impressed… When asked what made him want to become Guide Dogs’ Chairman, John smiles and says: “Quite frankly, it was good luck. I was looking for the right charity to get involved with - it had to be something I could feel really strongly about. Happily for me, at the same time Guide Dogs was looking for a chairman who knew how to run the board of a large and thriving organisation.” And John is no stranger to leading big organisations. He’s a director at the Bank of England and has a wealth of experience in running major financial institutions. This gives him great insight into the challenges charities face: “I know about the economic situation”, he says, “not just in Britain but globally, and it’s tough on charity fundraising. “But there’s one thing we have that big businesses don’t: our army of volunteers. What an asset that is! I’ve seen our volunteers in action doing all sorts of vital work for Guide Dogs - and, if the Reading fun day I went to is anything to go by, they’re pretty good at enjoying themselves too.” Our volunteers will be recognised, along with guide dog owners, fundraisers and other supporters in the Guide Dogs Annual Awards in December, and John says he was honoured to be one of the judges. Although, he adds: “We had to take some very difficult decisions as there are so many dedicated, talented and inspiring people in this organisation”. John is very excited about the direction Guide Dogs is taking at the moment. “I’ve now had the privilege of meeting a lot of guide dog owners,” he says. “Without exception, they’ve said that having a guide dog has completely transformed their lives. “That’s also true of the people I’ve met who benefit from our My Guide service and the children who’ve grown in confidence thanks to our work with young people who are blind or partially sighted. “It’s vital that Guide Dogs continues to be here for generations to come and I’m proud to have become one of the people who’s going to make that happen.” Asked what three words he would use to sum up Guide Dogs and all our staff, supporters and volunteers, John doesn’t blink before saying: “Passionate, professional and dedicated”. And it seems we have a chairman out of the same mould. Included in this article are three photographs. The first photograph is of John Stewart, he is wearing a blue shirt beneath a mauve sweater. The second photograph is of John walking in the countryside with a guide dog owner and her black guide dog. The final photograph is of John and another member of Guide Dogs’ staff in the office. Photographs courtesy of Bob Saunders. ++The lighter side We asked John a few more questions about himself… What’s on your ipod? 70’s and 80’s music What’s the last film you saw? Warhorse Real ale or single malt? Oh, definitely real ale Football or cricket? I don’t understand cricket, so it’s football! If you were a dog, what breed would you be? I’d be a border collie, because I see them as smart and hard-working Included here is a photograph of John during his interview. John is sitting at a table and smiling. [Back to contents] Puppy walking All in a day’s work and play It’s vital that guide dog puppies get used to lots of different environments so they can go anywhere with their future guide dog owners. Our staff and volunteers are full of great ideas for getting them out and about. ++De-stressing at university Stressed out students have found a new way to calm pre-exam nerves - at a “pet-a-puppy” day. Guide Dogs has teamed up with Aberdeen University, Saint Andrews University and Saint Edmunds College, Cambridge, giving the puppies a chance to meet new people and the students a novel way to relax. Saint Edmunds’ students described the day as “amazing fun” and “the best stress reduction ever.” Puppy Training Supervisor Rowena Dowsett said: “The puppies enjoyed learning to be cooed over, admired and cuddled, while remaining calm and confident. It was a super opportunity for them.” Included here is a photograph of some university students sitting with a black guide dog puppy at their “pet-a-puppy” day. This photograph is courtesy of Sarah Ashley. ++Meeting the mounted police Puppy walkers from Glasgow took their puppies to meet the mounted branch of the Scotland Police. The puppies did some obedience training while the horses were being ridden around them - a great test which they took in their stride. Later they walked round the stables and met some of the police officers too. Pictured here is a yellow guide dog puppy standing with its walker outside the stable of one of the police horses. ++A grand day out Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire, has teamed up with the local Guide Dogs Mobility Team to help young puppies experience all the sights and sounds of a very busy and noisy environment. Enthusiastic staff gave 15 puppies a very warm welcome on National Puppy Day in March. In return, the park owners have been invited to our National Breeding Centre. Included here is a photograph of a yellow guide dog puppy lying patiently on a large swing at Drayton Manor Theme Park. ++The sky’s the limit Well, almost. Seven puppies didn’t actually take to the skies when they visited Leeds Bradford International Airport but they did get as far as the queues for the passenger security checks. The very successful day gave the puppies some important new experiences as they came across different obstacles, sounds and floor surfaces. Pictured here are a few of the puppies that visited Leeds Bradford airport. The trainee guide dogs and their walkers have been photographed at the airport’s check-in desks. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a volunteer puppy walker, visit http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/puppywalking. [Back to contents] Campaign with us! Streets ahead Do cars parked on pavements make you see red? Do you hate having to dodge past badly placed wheelie bins? Just imagine what it’s like if you can’t see them. Earlier this year, our survey of more than 1,500 people revealed the huge impact street clutter has on people’s ability to get around, especially those who are blind or partially sighted. The Guide Dogs Campaigns Team are passionate about changing this. That’s why they’ve been taking our Streets Ahead campaign to this year’s party political conferences. MP’s and councillors have been invited to play “Street Clutter Crazy Golf” to help them understand just how difficult street obstacles can make life for people with sight loss If we’re going to clear the clutter from our streets, we need Forward readers to get behind the Streets Ahead campaign. It’s easy to show your support: just visit http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/streetsahead to find out more. By getting involved with Streets Ahead, you’ll be joining some amazing Guide Dogs campaigners who are making a real difference in their local areas - people like Piers Nummelin from Bury Saint Edmunds. Piers recently found his route to work blocked by a large vehicle parked on the pavement. “At first, my guide dog Oyster became very confused”, said Piers. “After a lot of coaxing eventually Oyster did what she does best and guided me through. However, the space was so narrow I had to follow behind the dog, which is not ideal.” This sparked Piers to contact local police and persuade them to take action. As well as Streets Ahead, we’re running three other vital campaigns: Talking Buses - calling for audio visual announcements on buses Safe and Sound - calling for electric and quiet vehicles to be audibly detectable for pedestrians Dog Attacks - to stop guide dogs and other assistance dogs being attacked Over the last year we’ve clocked up some great campaigning achievements, not least on the issue of dog attacks on guide dogs: we have successfully secured government support to make a dog attack on an assistance dog a more serious offence in England and Wales. We rely heavily on support from our campaigners to win these victories. In just over a year, they sent more than 5,000 e-mails to MP’s about attacks on guide dogs. This pressure worked! All our campaigns feature on our website - http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/campaigns - and there are easy steps you can take to support them. “Most of us with guide dogs seek ways to give something back for the wonderful gift we have been given: our dogs. One way we can help is to become campaign volunteers. Being a campaigns volunteer is a real joy and helps make the world a lot safer for visually impaired people.” Cynthia, East Anglia Included within this article is a picture of a yellow Labrador guide dog carefully guiding his owner along a path. There is also a solid blue image of a guide dog guiding their owner across a road, in the background is a solid blue image of a car. [Back to contents] In memory ++Terrie Forbes-Smith It is with great sadness that we report the death, following a brave battle with illness, of Terrie Forbes-Smith. Terrie had been Chairman of Chelmsford branch for almost a quarter of a century and had steered the branch through many changes during that time. She will be very sorely missed and Chelmsford branch will not be the same without her. Included here is a photograph of Terrie Forbes-Smith. Terrie has been photographed at the branch’s thirtieth anniversary in 2010; she is cutting the cake and smiling at the camera. ++Daniel Phillip Clarke Many readers will remember Dan, who worked with Guide Dogs for more than 25 years, including periods in Exeter, Northern Ireland and Middlesbrough, where he met his wife, Julie. Dan was kind and caring, with an uncanny ability to empathise with everyone he met. This made him an extremely approachable Guide Dog Mobility Instructor and was a great asset when he later set up his own pet crematorium, a service that kept him in touch with many guide dog owners and former colleagues. Sadly, Dan passed away in April after a long battle with cancer. His funeral was testament to the impact Dan had on others. Attended by family, friends, most of his local village and many Guide Dogs staff, there was standing room only! Included within this section is a photograph of Daniel. In the photograph Daniel has short brown hair, is wearing a pair of glasses and is smiling at the camera. [Back to contents] Your letters ++Courtney’s growing up Thank you for the great article on Name a Puppy (Forward Summer 2013). As Courtney’s puppy walker it was lovely to read about her sponsors. We had no idea how supportive they had been and how many other puppies they’ve sponsored, so a huge thank you to them. Courtney is doing really well and is now seven months old. She has a wonderful calm temperament and is happy to learn her commands. Many thanks again for your magazine. It’s lovely to read how many challenging and rewarding happenings are going on all over the country. Jacki Meaney and Courtney Pictured here is yellow guide dog puppy Courtney practising her command for stay, in the sunshine. ++Jazzy gig Sue Wherry sent us this great picture of her husband Geoff and his guide dog Jazzy. Geoff led the crew of Cornwall Rowing Association for the Blind to a podium finish at the 2013 World Gig Championships on the Isles of Scilly. Jazzy has accompanied Geoff to the Championships for the last seven years and enjoys all their adventures together. Included here is a picture of Geoff at the Isles of Scilly World Gig Championships. Geoff is standing on the podium with guide dog Jazzy. ++Best dog Thanks to Lacy Johnson for this lovely photo of her father’s guide dog Irwin at her wedding. Included here is a picture of Lacy Johnson, her father and Irwin on her wedding day. Lacy is wearing a white wedding dress and is stroking Irwin, a black Labrador, who is wearing his working harness. Do you have any questions or comments for Forward? If so, please write to forward@guidedogs.org.uk or to Forward, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, RG7 3YG. [Back to contents] Special feature - On the road to independence On the road to independence For a child or young person with sight loss, getting the right support at the right time is vital. It can make the difference between a limited future and a life lived to the full. About 30,000 children and young people in the UK have a visual impairment and many aren’t getting the support they need. Guide Dogs has been working with children and young people for 15 years under contracts with some local authorities, but thousands more need help. In the last edition of Forward, we told you we’ve joined forces with the National Blind Children’s Society (NBCS). From now on, whilst buddy dogs and guide dogs for young people will still be provided by Guide Dogs, our other children’s services will be provided by NBCS, either directly or under contract to local authorities. We’d like you to meet some of those we’re already helping. Two-year-old Ellie was born with a genetic eye condition. “The first few months were scary and very lonely,” says Ellie’s dad Chris. “Support was limited - few mobility officers have specialist experience with younger children - and we worried how Ellie would cope. We did all we could to educate ourselves about having a child with sight loss and made contact with other parents in similar circumstances. “The pivotal point was Guide Dogs’ Movement Matters course, where we learned how to encourage Ellie’s mobility. We gave her a cane at eight months - now she asks for it and off she goes. She’s coming on leaps and bounds and has also begun to get help from a local authority mobility officer. She’s also well beyond her years in speech; she could natter for England! We now want her to start exploring the world more.” Talking of exploring the world, there’s no stopping 12-year-old Fadzie in her quest to get out and have fun with her friends. Fadzie and her family found out she was losing her sight about two years ago. Her sight had actually been deteriorating for some time but because she was top of her class nobody, including Fadzie herself, realised there was a problem. She explains: “I just thought everyone saw the same as me. Now I only have a little bit of tunnel vision through my left eye and no sight in my right eye. The doctors are working to make sure I don’t lose any more of my sight to juvenile glaucoma.” Fadzie’s story illustrates what a devastating effect sight loss can have on families. Fadzie says: “My mum was so upset when I lost my sight. She had to give up work and blamed herself for my sight loss. I used to try and hide my tears when Mum picked me up from school as I couldn’t go out and play with my friends and often felt left out. What I didn’t know was that Mum knew I was crying and was crying too.” Despite these difficult times, Fadzie was determined not to let sight loss get in her way. She’s been learning all sorts of skills to help her achieve her ambitions for the future. She says: “Sue, my mobility instructor, has taught me how to use a long cane which I now can’t imagine being without. I use my cane to help me get from A to B, whether that’s meeting my friend, Davina, for a milkshake, going to school or heading out to Sonic Tennis on a Thursday evening. Sonic Tennis is tennis for people who are blind or partially sighted and is great fun. “My life has really changed for the better, from the little things, such as hanging out with my friends in the playground, to walking to the bus stop myself and getting the bus into the town centre. The only problem I have now is that I walk so fast with my cane, nobody can keep up with me! “My plans for the future are to go to university and become a paediatrician. At the moment, I’m enjoying being a normal teenager, having a bedroom to myself while my sister’s at uni and planning on applying for a guide dog in a few years’ time.” And with her energy and zest for life, we can’t see anything standing in Fadzie’s way. Pictured within this article are 5 photographs. The first photograph is of Ellie and her parents at their home. Ellie is wearing a colourful striped dress over a yellow t-shirt. Ellie is standing with her parents crouched down next to her. They are having fun playing in the garden. The second photograph is of Ellie using her white cane to help guide herself down her garden path. Ellie’s parents are walking next to her. The third photograph is of Ellie playing on a swing in her garden. These photographs are courtesy of Stewart Turkington. The fourth photograph is of Fadzie stepping off a bus. Fadzie is using her white cane to help guide her. The final photograph is of Fadzie smiling as she enjoys a drink with her friends. ++Guide Dogs and NBCS working together Between us, Guide Dogs and NBCS have 100 years’ experience of working with blind and partially sighted people of all ages. We have two separate identities, but we make up one powerful force for change. If you raise money for Guide Dogs it goes to Guide Dogs; if you raise money for NBCS it goes to NBCS. Included here is a solid blue image of a young child walking with a cane. [Back to contents] What’s on Stand Out for Guide Dogs Guide Dogs Week 2013 - it’s just around the corner. This year’s Guide Dogs Week is set to be the biggest and best yet. We give you the lowdown on how to get involved, have a great time and spread the word about our life-changing work. ++Luminous launch This year, for the first time, we launched Guide Dogs Week a month before the week itself, to create a buzz and encourage everyone to Stand Out for Guide Dogs. On 5 September, we lit up the EDF London Eye in neon yellow, making a real splash in the capital. The Eye was also the destination for our night-time Go Walkies fundraising event, which began at the Design Museum further along the Thames. ++Team GD and the Four Legs Tour The fun is already well underway with our Four Legs Tour. Since the launch of Guide Dogs Week, our intrepid guide dog partnerships - known as Team GD - have been walking across the UK, fundraising and spreading the word about Guide Dogs as they go. Visiting many major towns and cities, they’ve had a warm welcome everywhere. ++Let’s Glow As this year’s Guide Dogs Week is all about Standing Out for Guide Dogs, our supporters everywhere are donning their brightest clothing and holding Let’s Glow events with friends, family and colleagues: Let’s Glow - Party: take your friends back to the 80’s - host a glow party inviting guests to dress in luminous clothes and really stand out. Let’s Glow - Dress in Neon Day: ask everyone in your school, office or club to dress in neon, or just hold a simple dress down day for Guide Dogs. Let’s Glow - Cash Raid: Organise a desk-drop collection with your colleagues, using our Stand Out for Guide Dogs fundraising envelopes. ++Canine Catwalk: What better way to put Guide Dogs in the spotlight than a fashion show and photo shoot on London’s Millennium Bridge? Starring blind and partially sighted models, guide dogs and puppies, as well as sighted models, our high-vis fashion parade will certainly turn a few heads. ++Guide Dogs Week online There’s so much to do on our Stand Out for Guide Dogs website. You can visit the Four Legs Tour daily diary to find out where Team GD has been; check out some great photos in our picture gallery; find out more about holding your own Stand Out for Guide Dogs event; and donate to support thousands more people who are blind or partially sighted. Visit http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/TeamGD to join in the fun. ++Calling all volunteers You help us change lives every day and we want to change thousands more. During Guide Dogs Week, we’re asking you to introduce a friend or family member to Guide Dogs. It’s easy - just send their name and contact details to introduceafriend@guidedogs.org.uk or call 0845 3717771 Give us your details too and we’ll enter you in a free prize draw to win a Stand Out for Guide Dogs running jacket. ++Exclusive! Stand Out for Guide Dogs with our unique high-vis paw print badges, on sale at participating branches of Specsavers. They are also available from local mobility teams. Included in this article is a picture of three young children jumping with their arms in the air. They are all wearing yellow t-shirts with Guide Dogs stickers on. ++What’s on Skydive for Guide Dogs If you have a taste for adventure, why not skydive to raise money for Guide Dogs? Imagine the rush as you leave the plane at 12,000ft, accelerate in free fall to 120mph, thunder through the air for 5,000ft, then experience silence and tranquillity as the parachute deploys and you gently descend to the cheers of your supporters below. You can request to skydive on any date that suits you best and choose from around 20 UK locations. To find out more, please visit http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/events or call 0845 6006787. Pictured here are two people after a sponsored tandem skydive. Their parachute is still in the air above them. ++Be a Guide Dogs Hero with your own challenge Whether you’d like to take a challenge in the air or on the ground, you can also register your own challenge for Guide Dogs and become a Guide Dogs Hero. If you have your own place in an existing challenge, simply let us know and we will make you our Hero! Tell us which event you’re doing and we’ll send you your very own Hero Pack, containing a super hero cape, technical t-shirt and supercharged events pack. For more information, please visit http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/events ++QAC Sight Village - London 5-6 November Kensington Town Hall, London A major event showcasing technology and services for people who are blind or partially sighted. Come and meet Guide Dogs staff who can answer your questions about Guide Dogs services and all the great opportunities for volunteering with us. ++Young at Heart Show 5-6 October Alexandra Palace, London Over 50? Here’s an offer too good to miss! The Young at Heart Show is a new event for over 50’s and Forward readers are being offered free tickets, worth £8.00. As well as guide dogs demonstrations and the chance to experience our “sensory tunnel”, the show also features interviews with celebrities, including Esther Rantzen CBE; wine tasting masterclasses; cookery demonstrations by professional chefs; an arts and crafts area; the Swinging 60’s Band; and much more. To register, please visit http://www.youngatheartshow.com/freetickets and enter the promotional code Guide Dogs. Included here is an advertisement for the Young at Heart Show. ++BBC Good Food Show Winter 27 November - 1 December, NEC Birmingham Come and visit the Guide Dogs stand at the biggest foodie event of the year! ++World Sight Day - 10 October World Sight Day this year coincides with Guide Dogs Week and the theme is Universal Eye Health. The theme connects World Sight Day with the launch of a new action plan from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the prevention of avoidable blindness and visual impairment from 2014 to 2019. The main message to the public this year will be “Get Your Eyes Tested”; you can find out more by visiting http://www.iapb.org/wsd13 Pictured here is a yellow guide dog puppy looking up at a poster for the World Sight Day 2013. [Back to contents] Competitions ++Partnerships quiz Guide Dogs is all about partnerships - between guide dogs and their owners, puppies and their puppy walkers, My Guide volunteers and their partners…the list is endless. We thought we’d celebrate partnerships with a light-hearted quiz. Why not have a go? You stand a chance of winning a £10 Marks and Spencer voucher if you answer our five questions correctly. 1. What was the name of Dorothy’s canine companion in the Wizard of Oz? 2. Who was cartoon character Yogi Bear’s partner in crime? 3. Which cartoon villain had a dog called Muttley? 4. Which superhero did Robin assist? 5. Who is Scooby Doo’s diminutive sidekick? Included here is a photograph of a guide dog owner having a picnic with a friend in the park. A yellow Labrador guide dog is lying patiently on the grass beside them. ++Caption competition Thanks to Troon puppy walker Aileen Kerr for sending in this picture of puppy Gillan on toy wash day! What do you think is going through Gillan’s mind? Please send your caption ideas on a postcard to Forward, Guide Dogs, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG, or e-mail forward@guidedogs.org.uk. Remember to include your name and address. The winner will receive a £10 Marks and Spencer voucher. Included here is a photograph of guide dog puppy Gillan. Gillan is on hind legs, reaching for one of the toys which is hanging on the washing line. Last time we asked you to tell us what guide dogs Brunel and Vicky, and retired guide dog Lloyd, were thinking. The winner was Jane Tabberer with: “Honest, Mum, she came free with two boxes of biscuits.” Congratulations, Jane - we hope you enjoy your voucher. Included here is a photograph of yellow Labrador guide dogs Brunel and Vicky sitting in a doorway. Retired yellow Labrador guide dog Lloyd is lying in the room behind, looking at them. Brunel is holding Vicky’s lead in his mouth. ++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 29 November 2013. [Back to contents] Thanks to our supporters Thanks to our supporters This year has proven to be fantastic in many ways, not least in terms of your fundraising. Thank you to each and every one of you who have walked, run, cycled, jumped, drank coffee, knitted, stitched or baked - your hard work has truly changed the lives of people with sight loss. We may not have space on these pages to give you a mention but I assure you that your efforts are appreciated. But the year’s not quite over yet, so keep up the good work! Jayne George Director of Fundraising and Marketing Determined nine-year-old Amy Brown raised £370 by scaling Mount Snowdon in sub-zero temperatures with her dad, Roy. The pair spent over five hours climbing more than 3,000 feet, but were unable to reach the summit because of the bitter wind, ice and snow. Undaunted, as we went to press, Amy was planning more fundraising for Guide Dogs by climbing the three highest peaks in England (Scafell Pike), Wales (Snowdon) and Scotland (Ben Nevis) - in a week! Amy decided to raise money for Guide Dogs as her mum, Kathryn, has retinitis pigmentosa, and got her first guide dog, Milo, in February. Pictured here is a photograph of Amy and Roy in the snow at the top of Mount Snowdon, they are holding up a Union flag. Torbay fundraising group presented a guide dog photo to staff at the Paignton branch of Carters Stores convenience chain, in recognition of the £200 raised through their counter-top collection box. Torbay group organiser Chris Sharp had help from puppy walker Kay Davies and her guide dog puppy Yolanda when presenting assistant manager Adam Swain with the picture. Included here is a photograph of Chris and Kay with guide dog puppy Yolanda, presenting the guide dog photo to Adam Swain. Well done to pupils at Townhill Primary School in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, for raising £394.90 by selling Easter chicks. Students at Hamilton Grammar School have also been busy, collecting £392.49 by holding a guess the bear’s birthday competition. A coffee morning at the school also raised £362.49, and selling Easter chicks £30. Pictured here are four pupils from Townhill Primary School who helped with the fund raising. Intrepid Anna Chouler did a blindfold scuba dive in the Red Sea off Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, raising more than £750. Anna completed the 26-minute dive, at depths of up to 15.1m, accompanied by her dive buddy Rachael Mckendry. The pair are both members of the Deep Blue Pirates dive group in Whitley Bay, Newcastle, and Rachael relayed vital information such as their depth and how much air was left to Anna through touch. Included in this article is a picture of Anna and Rachael during their dive. Congratulations to Audrey and Chas Ginbey, who raised £195 when they asked friends and relatives for donations to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary. The couple, members of Brentwood fundraising group in Essex, have been volunteering for Guide Dogs for nearly 30 years. Pictured here are Audrey and Chas celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary. Thanks to Aberdeen puppy walker and fundraiser, James Tosh, and to staff at the city’s Holiday Inn. The hotel’s general manager, Carlos Nunez, presented James with a cheque for £650 as James is hoping to name a puppy Mercury, after Freddie Mercury from rock band Queen. Included here is a photograph of Carlos with James and his guide dog. Carlos is presenting James with an oversized cheque. Mid Surrey fundraising group raised nearly £1,000 with their stall at two local events in June. Guide dog puppies Nero and Doris won prizes in a novelty dog show at one of the events: Doris came second in the prettiest bitch class, whilst Nero was named most handsome dog and also came second in the Best in Show class. Pictured here are some of the fundraising group by their stall with guide dog puppies Nero and Doris. Vet Dr Josh Lida from Newmarket, Suffolk, took on the Edinburgh Marathon and completed the course in five hours, 12 minutes, raising nearly £700. It was Josh’s ninth marathon for a charity involving animals. Included here is a photograph of Dr Josh Lida with supporters and a guide dog puppy. Regulars at The Hunting Lodge pub in Whitley Bay well and truly smashed their £5,000 target to name a puppy by collecting £10,000. In addition to music nights and raffles, a 22-strong team completed a coast to coast cycle ride in appalling weather. Speaking about the ride, Guide Dogs’ Newcastle Mobility Team Manager, Mark Burnett, said: “It turned out to be more challenging than we expected as the torrential rain led to flooding!” Thank you to everyone who attended the Fun Day at our Leamington Guide Dog Training School. Nearly £15,000 was raised, including £2,600 on the gate, £1,050 from the barbecue and £635 from the “Guide Dogs Café”. There were also 33 Sponsor a Puppy sign-ups and more than 50 volunteer enquiries, and the event featured in the region’s evening news programme. Congratulations to Ruth Chapman, from Reydon in Suffolk, who received two honours in a short period. Ruth won a Southwold and Reydon Society’s Excellence Award for her contribution to her community. A volunteer speaker for Guide Dogs, Ruth was also named chair of the Lowestoft fundraising group. Amongst many other activities, Ruth opens her garden to the public twice a year for charity, raising £10,000. Pictured here is Ruth Chapman receiving an honour from the Mayor. Around 40 adults and children, and 30 dogs, took part in a Go Walkies sponsored dog walk at Top Dog Hydrotherapy in Penton, Hampshire. Organisers in the Andover fundraising group were hoping to raise £1,000 towards naming a guide dog puppy and the group’s ninth named puppy, Harry, put in an appearance. Included here is a photograph of a young supporter of Guide Dogs, holding up two signs saying “Start” and “Finish”. Guide dog owner and horsewoman Laura Turner organised a charity dressage event, raising just over £1,000. Laura herself finished third in her class with her horse, Yoxmor Chloe, a great achievement as it was the first time she’d competed at that level. Staff at the Swallowfield Equestrian Centre in Warwickshire were so pleased with the day, they’re keen to have one every year. Included here is a photograph of Laura Turner with her horse, Yoxmore Chloe at the charity dressage event. Laxdale Gaelic School on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s highlands, presented the Inverness fundraising group with a cheque for £235. After studying Guide Dogs’ work, some 17 pupils, aged five to seven, collected the money by charging other pupils to use a chocolate fountain. The group also received £2,561 from Inverness Choral Society after a joint venture in Eastgate Shopping Centre where choir members were sponsored to sing. Included here is a photograph of the teachers from Laxdale Gaelic School presenting their cheque to the Inverness fundraising group. Well done to 11-year-old Rosie Pearson, from Birmingham, who organised her own Go Walkies event after deciding to raise money for Guide Dogs. Staff and pupils at Rosie’s school, Heathfield Primary in Handsworth Wood, got behind her and collected £347, enough to sponsor a guide dog puppy. Pictured here is a photograph of Rosie Pearson with her guide dog puppy certificate. Rosie has been photographed with a small yellow guide dog puppy. A big thank you to everyone who supported the Reading Fun Day on 20 July, coinciding with our AGM. Thanks to Microsoft for hosting the day which resulted in 52 volunteering enquiries, 10 “actions” in support of our campaigns and £5,200 cash - not including sign-ups to Sponsor a Puppy and nearly £3,000 worth of gifts in kind. A huge success on all fronts! Included here is a photograph of the Reading Fun Day, with lots of people and stalls. Congratulations to the Newcastle Mobility Team “friends group” whose Go Walkies raised a splendid £1,904, with help from the Newcastle branch of PwC. Included here is a photograph of two members of the Newcastle Mobility Team at the Go Walkies event. On 6 May, three relay teams, five fun runners and one full marathon runner took part in the Belfast Marathon. The aim was to raise enough money to name a puppy for the Northern Ireland team and they’re nearly there. Thanks to all who took part. Included here is a picture of some fund raisers with two guide dog puppies. Heartfelt thanks to Steve Hubbard and his wife, Ann, who raised around £500 from the Chelmsford Go Walkies, in memory of Steve’s guide dog, Walton. Huge thanks to third and fourth Barnston Brownies and Guides who raised a fantastic £609.07 through a coffee evening, cake sales and a sponsored walk, and presented a cheque to puppy walker Sue Brown. Notcutts Garden Centres have raised a marvellous £10,000 across their 19 Garden Centres - and their friends were delighted to receive the cheque. Pictured here are some guide dog puppies. They are all lying down patiently outside, looking up towards the camera. Two of the dogs have their paws on an oversized cheque. Well done to Tom Briggs, from Ripley in Derbyshire, who raised £644 by taking part in the White Peak Half Marathon in May. Tom, who is 25 and partially sighted, completed the 13.1-mile course in two hours, 23 minutes and 46 seconds. Share your fundraising story with the Forward team! Send details of who, how, where, when and how much money was raised, with a daytime contact number, to forward@guidedogs.org.uk or by post to Forward, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Berkshire, RG7 3YG. Don’t forget to send us your best photos! [Back to contents] Canine obituaries We’ll never forget If you would like to pay tribute to a guide dog you have known, please send your tribute (up to a maximum of 25 words) to forward@guidedogs.org.uk or to Forward at Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, RG7 3YG. ++Allie 12.8.98 - 9.6.13 A loyal guide dog to Supriya, with the patience of a saint and the temperament of an angel. You will be forever in our hearts. ++Bonnie 14.2.99 - 4.5.13 Guide dog to Mick Pallant. Retired aged four to Molly and Arthur Kendal. A lovely dog we had for 10 years, sadly missed. ++Bradley 26.3.03 - 9.4.13 Adopted by Pat and Mick, became a wonderful, gentle PAT dog. Adored friend of many children in “special” schools and hospitals. Greatly loved and missed. ++Bridie 9.11.99 - 19.4.13 Didn’t quite make it as a guide dog. Mischievously skipped through a happy and contented life with her puppy walkers. Goodbye our Golden Angel, the Blackham family. ++Chad 22.7.00 - 9.2.13 Stud dog Chad, full of wonderful character. God bless my sweetest Chad. I loved you and you loved me. What shall I do without your cuddles? Kate Gardner ++Dalby 20.11.99 - 18.6.13 My first guide dog, fun-loving friend and brave companion. Now I’m left with a tear in my eye and a space in my heart. ++Dixie 27.9.99 - 12.6.13 Toby Davey’s first guide dog, she opened up his life and ambitions, working at the BBC’s In Touch programme and appearing in “Billy Elliott” in the West End. ++Duke 25.10.97 - 25.3.13 Duke was Anne Bradley’s first guide dog. Retired aged 11 and had over four very happy years with Judith in Cley. Missed by us all. ++Fallon 23.12.98 - 21.6.13 Treasured first guide and retired with Geraldine Howes-Smith. Also mourned by Graham, Ellie, Jackie Healey, Jan and Del Budham. Thank you darling girl. Love you always. X ++Farley 19.7.98 - 31.3.13 A perfect ambassador for Guide Dogs. Faithful and gentle guide to Michael Parrish. Greatly missed by family and friends in the UK and the USA. ++Fin (Finch) 20.4.99 - 5.4.13 Star of “Deal or no deal” Eric’s second guide and our beloved boy. Missed by all who knew and loved him. Sweet dreams old man. ++Friday 1.8.99 - 24.2.13 A special, happy girl, loved by all who met her. Wagged her tail until the end. Much loved and never forgotten. ++Hattie 7.98 - 4.13 From the naughtiest dog I have ever met, brood bitch Hattie became one of the best dogs I’ve had. God bless you, Margaret and Douglas Campbell. ++Heidi 21.9.00 - 15.1.13 There’s another guiding star in heaven tonight, our beautiful little girl Heidi. Forever alive in our hearts, Alina and Phillip. ++Ingram 27.12.98 - 29.5.13 Guide to Ruth Dawson, then retired to Marion and Rory Anderson. He brought a smile to the faces of all who saw him. ++Ivy 13.5.02 - 2.4.13 Much beloved guide and companion to Buddug, retired to Mike and Jean. Adored by everyone. You will never be forgotten our “brown eyed girl”. ++Jay 1999 - 2013 Beloved first guide to Betty Jappy. Stayed at home in retirement. Much missed by everyone who knew her. Sleep in peace darling Jay. ++Janna 25.3.13 Ebony and twinkly-eyed, a really gentle little lady who was so intelligent and will always be in our hearts. ++Joy 2.6.98 - 22.5.13 Hard-working guide to Ann Gebbie. Puppy walked by Elizabeth McIntyre, retired to Mona Duncan. Put to sleep as she was in so much pain. Rest in peace. ++Karli 15.8.99 - 11.4.13 BB Karli produced 40 healthy puppies for Guide Dogs, including 2004 Guide Dog of the Year, Tom. She enjoyed a happy retirement in the Cotswolds. ++Keats 4.12.99 - 30.5.13 Guide to Eric Day, retired to Heather and Peter. A much-loved friend to all who knew him. Run free my boy, Dad. ++Lady 3.4.03 - 16.5.13 Third guide dog to Tina Toni. Lady by name but not nature. Retired to the Tasker family. Good night my little angel. Love you always. ++Leo 14.12.04 - 27.3.13 Guide dog to Tracey Gorman for six years. Rest in peace my big yellow boy. ++Natalie 20.8.99 - 13.8.12 Third guide to Frances Guyver. Sure as a shadow by my side, my ever watchful careful guide. Remembering you always with much love, Mum. X ++Natt 13.2.00 - 18.3.13 To a special boy who touched the hearts of many. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. ++Oats 26.8.99 - 01.4.13 Loved by our family. We will never forget him, Sharon Glendinning. ++Paige 19.9.98 - 27.3.13 Guide to the late Dorothy Lavarro. Retired and loved so much by Jean Berisford, the last of her 102 retired dogs. Wonderful memories of them all. ++Quaver 18.10.99 - 11.3.13 First guide to Jenny Dale, happily retired to Lynn Busfield. You changed my life. Sadly missed by everyone who knew her. Run free beautiful girl. ++Ramsey 2.4.99 - 22.5.13 Guide to David Nicholson. Retired to puppy walker Cynthia Russell after accident in 2003. Beloved companion for 10 years. Missed by all, especially collie Jim. ++Rags 5.2.04 - 06.4.13 Taken suddenly, a loyal guide and companion to John Stancombe, puppy walked by Brenda Weaver. Loved by all who knew him and sadly missed. ++Scully 10.10.01 - 21.4.13 A faithful guide and friend to Gwen Stacey. Retired to Dennis and Maureen Wilson. A sweet and gentle lady, loved by all. Sleep peacefully Scully. ++Simpson 29.4.00 - 24.1.13 Never was there a more devoted and hard-working dog. You understood every word; we’ll never forget your love and gentlemanly manner. All our love, forever. Richard Lane, Kate Eustace. ++Sweep He was very affectionate, a good worker and good friend for 10 years. We will all miss him. Good night and God bless, John and Brigitte Rogers. ++Tilly 7.7.99 - 28.3.13 Tilly remained in harness until she was almost 12, despite facing many health challenges. An Edinburgh personality, much missed by her family and many friends. ++Topaz 7.5.13 The beautiful, loving Topaz was put to sleep on 7 May and is very much missed. She worked for two guide dog owners and was an amazing girl. ++Ursula 17.5.99 - 9.5.13 Loving companion and friend to all who knew her. Thank you for everything, Margaret, Ann, Mike and Katie. ++Wade 20.7.00 - 7.6.13 He was my best friend as well as a partner to me and my mother. Thank you to all those who helped care for him. ++Walton 5.2.01 - 24.3.12 First guide to Steve Hubbard. An honour to have such a loving, faithful friend. Forever in our family’s hearts. God bless my special boy xx ++Watson 28.7.97 - 29.05.13 Guide to John Dear, retired to puppy walkers the Moss family. Much loved, so sadly missed - our handsome “gentleman” with enthusiasm and zest for life. ++Willow 9.3.97 - 7.6.13 Sleep well special girl. You will be loved and missed always by your puppy walkers who had 12 special years with you. Simply the best. ++Wilson 6.10.06 - 29.3.13 Guide to Paul Johnson and retired to Martin and Carole Coyle. He was very well loved by so many people. Run free big lad. ++Winnie 9.3.02 - 12.4.13 Second guide to Martin Dudley. Puppy walked by Jane Clyde. Retired to Martin and Laraine. What a loss, loved and missed so much. She was a rock. ++Yassie 14.6.97 - 17.12.12 A faithful friend to Louise and family. Retired to Hazel and Victor Wright for the last five years. So sadly missed by us all. ++Yuma 4.6.05 - 21.6.13 I would like to say goodbye to Yuma, my lovely black retriever, who passed away at the age of eight years old. ++Zahra 19.3.98 - 20.5.12 Brood bitch to 36 puppies. Excellent mum and now happily chasing rabbits in the sky. We will miss our stubborn, smelly Old Bear xx ++Zandra 4.8.97 - 22.4.13 Perfect guide to Betty Carr. Puppy walked by Mr and Mrs Thrall. Long and happy retirement with the Orrell family. Much loved and missed by everyone. Included here are photographs taken in various locations and in different poses of: Allie, Bradley, Bonnie, Bruce, Fin, Fallon, Friday, Ingram, Ivy, Janna, Jay, Karli, Keats, Lady, Leo, Oats, Paige, Quaver, Ramsey, Scully, Simpson, Ursula, Walton, Yassie, Yuma, Zahra, Zandra. A technical error means that some of the tributes we have received by e-mail for the next edition of Forward have been lost. We sincerely apologise for this. If you have sent in a tribute for the January 2014 edition, please call 0118 9838811 or e-mail forward@guidedogs.org.uk so that we can check your entry. ++Joy 9.10.04 - 6.5.13 Joy was my first guide dog and she epitomised what Guide Dogs stands for. She took me everywhere, on my designated routes, to do talks for Guide Dogs, to fundraise at collections and even to the pub. I believe she was the hardest working guide dog fundraiser in the UK. She passed away very suddenly. We took her to the vet’s where they discovered several tumours and it was decided to put her to sleep that evening. My wife, Shirley, and I will miss her dreadfully. We lost her so quickly, I’m unsure what to do with myself. She was my shining light and my inspiration. Alan Fletcher, Swindon Included here is a photograph of Joy, a black Labrador, sitting patiently looking towards the camera. ++Make a tribute online If you would like your dog’s name to appear in our “Paws for Thought” Online Memorial Book, please contact the Gifts in Memory team on 0845 6031477, e-mail giftsinmemory@guidedogs.org.uk or visit http://www.giftsinmemory.org.uk. Included here is a picture of a yellow Labrador, with a harness on, sat patiently looking towards the camera. Our dogs may be honoured with a complimentary listing of their name to commemorate them. Guide Dogs is working with the Blue Cross to provide a bereavement support service for current and retired guide dog owners and volunteers who are grieving the loss of their dog or puppy through retirement, rehoming, illness, separation, transition or death. A phone line is open daily from 8.30am - 8.30pm and there is an e-mail service for people who prefer to write about how they are feeling. Guide dog owners and volunteers can call the bereavement service on 0800 0966606 or e-mail pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk [Back to contents] In good company ++New mobile phone service supporting Guide Dogs Guide Dogs has a new partnership with Donate Mobile - a mobile phone service dedicated to helping UK charities raise funds. Guide Dogs supporters can switch to Donate Mobile as their mobile service provider, with 10 per cent of their bill going straight to Guide Dogs at no extra cost. Guide Dogs’ Director of Fundraising and Marketing, Jayne George, says: “Our supporters are always looking for new ways to support us, so I’m thrilled they can now support our work through Donate Mobile - helping us transform even more lives just by switching their provider in a few simple steps.” Donate Mobile uses one of Britain’s biggest networks to provide 99 per cent network coverage, has a range of price plans on Pay as you Go and contract, and gives free calls to others on Donate Mobile. And you can keep your existing mobile number and handset. For anyone thinking about switching, Donate Mobile can match your current price plan, ensuring it doesn’t cost a penny more to support Guide Dogs in this way. To switch to Donate Mobile or find out more, visit http://www.donate-mobile.com/guide-dogs or call 0203 4631386. Included here is a photograph of a lady with a small black Labrador puppy. To the left of the photograph is a white image of a mobile phone, with a picture of a heart on the screen and there is an arrow from the phone pointing towards the photograph. ++CSMA Club Charity of the Year We are delighted to be working with the Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA) Club as its Charity of the Year. Huge thanks to Ann and John Richards, from the Forest of Dean fundraising group, who heeded the club’s appeal for charities and applied. Club members are now aiming to raise £50,000 towards a lifetime partnership. CSMA is a club for civil service employees past and present and their families, as well as organisations such as BT and the Post Office. The club offers its members fantastic discounts, benefits, events, and leisure retreats, in addition to making donations to worthy causes. The club’s 300,000 members are being encouraged to get involved in sponsored events to raise the funds for their guide dog puppy. And as the club is celebrating its 90th anniversary, members are taking a new stand to major events around the country to drum up more support. ++Dining in style Guests at Fountains Hall in Ripon, North Yorkshire, really were in good company at a drinks and dinner reception hosted by Guide Dogs trustee, David Bagley. The black tie evening at the Elizabethan manor house saw guests meet volunteers and guide dogs as an introduction to our work and hear about our plans to expand our services. They included Gary Verity, CEO of Welcome to Yorkshire and Ken Brook-Chrispin, Chairman of Seabrook Crisps. Included here is a photograph of Gary Verity and Ken Brook-Chrispin at the dinner reception. Both are wearing black tuxedos with black bow ties. This photograph is courtesy of Martin Toddington. [Back to contents] Promotions The following are four advertisements that are presented in different places in this issue of Forward. ++1. Remember a life Change a life Remember someone you love by transforming a life Giving to Guide Dogs in memory of a loved one can help celebrate the life of that person - and makes a real difference to the lives of people who are blind and partially sighted. From requesting donations instead of flowers at a funeral through to setting up a Tribute Fund and naming a puppy in a loved one’s name, we’re happy to talk you through the options. Please call us on 0845 6031477, e-mail giftsinmemory@guidedogs.org.uk or visit http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/giftsinmemory “My whole world changed for the better when Wanda came into it. With her at my side I got back my independence, confidence and freedom.” Mhairi Thurston Registered charity in England and Wales (209617) and in Scotland (SC038979) Included within this promotion is a picture of a mother and her two daughters, crouching down next to a yellow Labrador and smiling at the camera. The Guide Dogs’ logo is pictured on the top right hand side of the page. The Guide Dogs’ logo is a blue shield with the text “GUIDE DOGS” written in white, with a picture of a person walking a guide dog, also in white. ++2. Dogalogue Gifts that transform lives Exclusive gifts from Dogalogue this Christmas How about doing your Christmas gift shopping AND raising money for Guide Dogs at the same time? Our Christmas Dogalogue is packed full of cards, gifts and wrapping paper for you to choose from - and 100% of the profits go to Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs Puppy Calendar - £5.99 Code: 243002GD Pictured here is a 2014 Guide Dogs calendar, on the front is an image of two tiny puppies playing. Dog Treat Christmas Stocking - £4.99 Code: 248071GD Included here is a photograph of a Christmas stocking, which contains a rubber toy cane and bone and some treats. Guide Dogs Luxury Hamper includes guide dog puppy toy! £85.00 P & P FREE! Code: 240036GD Pictured here is the luxury hamper. The hamper contains some chocolates, biscuits, a bottle of wine and cake. There is also a photograph of a yellow guide dog in training soft toy. Guide Dogs Friendship Heart Bauble - £12.99 Code: 244069GD Included here is a photograph of the red heart bauble and the white presentation box it comes in. Labrador Umbrella - £11.99 Code: 244029GD Pictured here is the Labrador umbrella. The umbrella is clear, with alternate black and yellow edges and the image of a Labrador puppy on the yellow edged panels. Driving Home For Christmas Cards - £4.50 Pack of 10 Code: 241023GD Included here is a photograph of the “Driving Home For Christmas” cards. The cards have an image of two Golden Retrievers driving a red car through the snow. Butterfly Scarf Hanger - £8.99 scarf not included Code: 244042GD Pictured here is a turquoise scarf hanging on the black, butterfly shaped hanger. To order now call 0845 3711371 or visit http://www.dogalogue.com/forward Free P & P for orders over £45 Please quote D13014001 when placing your order by phone. Call 0845 3711371 for your printed copy of the Dogalogue. Get your FREE 2014 puppy pocket diary if your order is over £30. Product prices exclude postage. Free P & P applicable to orders over £45 to mainland UK addresses, orders under £45 are £4.95. Guide Dogs is a working name of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. A company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales (291646) and a charity registered in England & Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979) Come and check out our full range http://www.dogalogue.com/forward Audio and Braille versions of the catalogue also available. The Guide Dogs’ logo is pictured on the top right hand side of the page. ++3. Meet George, our very own royal puppy! Hurry! He’s only available for sponsorship until 31 October. As the world welcomes a new royal into its midst, we’re joining in with the celebrations and honouring the occasion by crowning one of our guide dog puppies George, after the young Prince. And you can be a part of the celebrations too! Sponsor George from just £1 a week and follow his incredible journey to becoming a life-changing guide dog. Please call 0870 2406993 or visit http://www.sponsorapuppy.org.uk Included here is a photograph of George, a tiny yellow Labrador puppy lying on a Union flag with a gold crown beside him. The Guide Dogs’ logo is pictured on the top right hand side of the page. Registered charity in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979) ++4. “I love chatting on my mobile... Especially when it’s helping Guide Dogs” Switch mobile provider to Donate Mobile, and 10% of your monthly spend goes straight to Guide Dogs... at no extra cost to you! Visit our website http://www.donate-mobile.com/gd or call today on 0203 4631386 to start chatting for Guide Dogs Included within the promotion is a photograph of a lady with a small black Labrador puppy. To the left of the photograph is a white image of a mobile phone with a pink heart on the screen and there is an arrow from the phone pointing towards the photograph. Another white arrow leads from the photograph to a white outline sketch of a guide dog wearing a working harness. [Back to contents] Contact Details This is a list of phone numbers and contact details arising from the articles in this edition of Forward Magazine. ++Gifts in memory Call: 0845 6031477 E-mail: giftsinmemory@guidedogs.org.uk Visit: http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/giftsinmemory ++Dogalogue Call: 0845 3711371 Visit: http://www.dogalogue.com/forward ++Guide Dogs Annual Awards 2013 Call: 0118 9838392 E-mail: kerry.hemmings@guidedogs.org.uk ++Making a difference surveys E-mail: volunteerfeedback@guidedogs.org.uk ++UK Vision Strategy Visit: http://www.vision2020uk.org.uk/ukvisionstrategy ++Patrons for puppies Call: 0118 9838350 E-mail: Karen.barns@guidedogs.org.uk ++Volunteer at Guide Dogs Call: 0845 3717771 Visit: http://www.guidedogs.org.uk ++Door-to-Door Strategy Visit: http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/door-to-door-strategy ++My Guide Volunteer Call: 0118 9838187 Visit: http://www.guidedogs.org.uk ++Go Walkies Visit: http://www.gowalkies.org.uk ++Doggie poll: Visit: http://www.facebook.com/gowalkies ++My Guide Call: 0118 9838187 E-mail: myguide@guidedogs.org.uk ++Gifts in Wills Call: 0845 6031477 E-mail: giftsinwills@guidedogs.org.uk ++Volunteer puppy walker Visit: http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/puppywalking ++Campaigns Visit: http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/campaigns ++Forward E-mail forward@guidedogs.org.uk Write to: Forward, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, RG7 3YG ++Stand Out for Guide Dogs Visit: http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/TeamGD ++Introduce a friend Call: 0845 3717771 E-mail: introduceafriend@guidedogs.org.uk ++Events Call: 0845 6006787 Visit: http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/events ++Young at Heart Show Visit: http://www.youngatheartshow.com/freetickets ++World Sight Day Visit: http://www.iapb.org/wsd13 ++Competition E-mail: forward@guidedogs.org.uk Write to: Forward, Guide Dogs, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, RG7 3YG ++Fundraising Story E-mail: forward@guidedogs.org.uk Write to: Forward, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Berkshire, RG7 3YG ++We’ll never forget Write to: Forward at Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, RG7 3YG E-mail: forward@guidedogs.org.uk ++Bereavement Service Call: 0800 0966606 E-mail: pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk ++Canine obituaries missing tributes Call: 0118 9838811 E-mail: forward@guidedogs.org.uk ++Make a tribute online Call: 0845 6031477 E-mail: giftsinmemory@guidedogs.org.uk Visit: http://www.giftsinmemory.org.uk ++Donate Mobile Call: 0203 4631386 Visit: http://www.donate-mobile.com/guide-dogs ++Sponsor George Call: 0870 2406993 Visit: http://www.sponsorapuppy.org.uk [Back to contents] New partnerships Congratulations to our new partnerships ++Key: x - Crossbreed 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 ++Meet Helen and Alfie Helen McCann, 55, qualified in May with her second guide dog, Alfie, a two-and-a-half-year old yellow labrador retriever cross. Helen lives in Wells, Somerset with her husband, Gerry. Helen, a retired teacher, first became a guide dog owner in 2005 with guide dog Izzy. Helen says: “Alfie is fabulous. I was apprehensive as Izzy was perfect but I knew the day I met Alfie that he was going to be a perfect fit.” She goes on: “Having a guide dog has given me my confidence back. Sometimes you just want to go out on your own and having Alfie means that I don’t have to rely on anyone else if I want to go out.” Alfie was puppy walked by Sue Thomas from Pontyclun, Wales. Included here is a photograph of Helen McCann and Alfie. Helen has shoulder length brown hair and is wearing a red dress underneath a black blazer. Helen is standing in her garden with Alfie waiting patiently at her feet. Alfie is a yellow Labrador cross retriever. New partnerships are listed by Mobility Team. Each listing details owner, guide dog, town, breed, puppy walker and brood bitch holder. Warm congratulations to all our new qualifiers. ++Belfast Hazel Flannigan & Tess from Armagh GRxL, Shirley Scanlon from Belfast, Hylda Brogden from Kidlington David Gale & Tim from Downpatrick GRxL, Gillian Stanage from Innerleithen, Hylda Brogden from Kidlington Stanley Lightowler & Greg from Coleraine GRxL, Brenda Stevenson from Ballyclare, Danielle Vaughan from Wigston Elizabeth McAlister & Kallie from Belfast L, Ian & Sheila Dickson from Montrose, Karen Robbens from Leamington Spa David McClurg & Gibson from Newry GRxL, G Simpson from Forfar, Jenny Ashley-Smith from Coventry Siobhan McKee & Genie from Ballymena GRxL, Diane Benn from Dalkeith, Elayne Flynn from Dalkeith, Helen Kilpatrick from Belfast, James Wilson from Ballyclare, Lena Reid from Newtownabbey, Jenny Ashley-Smith from Coventry Lisa McLaughlin & Harry from Holywood GRxL, Bryan & Heather Knight from Carnoustie, Marie Court from Halesowen Tom Watterson & Polly from Millisle GRxFCR, Elayne Flynn from Dalkeith, Alison Jordan from Stafford ++Birmingham Duncan Adam & Campbell from Tetbury L, Hamid Shadrokh-Cigari from Birmingham, Steve Parsons from Cirencester George Coleman & Pippin from Brixworth GRxFCR, Gabrielle Wootton from Bewdley, Alison Jordan from Stafford Roger Faulkner & Haydon from Gloucester LxGR, Norman Oliver from Bristol, Elizabeth Morris from Tamworth Lena Fraser & Nancy from Birmingham L, Yvonne Cooper from Cannock, VJ Addison from Rugby Derrick Hazlehurst & Kitty from Malvern GRxL, Elizabeth Tierney from Strathaven, Joan Perry from Southam Alec Hocking & Scottie from Hereford GRxL, Pamela Moody from Leicester, Helen Bonnett from Leigh Peter Mason & Wendy from Pershore L, Neil Thackeray from Worcester, Natasha Brady from Northampton John Price & Aaron from Birmingham GSD, Scott from Newton Abbot, Linda Tindall from Coventry Brent Whitley & Rajah from Wrexham LxGR, Alleyne Barlow from Plymouth, Jacquie Williams from Moreton-in-Marsh ++Cardiff Heulwen Dickinson & Quella from Anglesey COLxGR, Brenda Thomson from Sutton Coldfield, Kathryn Bayliss from Walsall Hilary Hughes & Charlotte from Denbigh LxGR, Michael Priddy from Ebbw Vale, Janet Colley from Bristol, Mary Herbert from Warwick Maxine Jacobs & Yassie from Swansea STPxL, Jean Hurst from Wolverhampton, Mr and Mrs Phipps from Lechlade Christopher James & Zamba from Tredegar GRxL, Julie Pocknell from Merthyr Tydfil, Michelle Richardson from Earl Shilton John Lloyd & Jackson from Milford Haven GRxL, Patricia O’Hara from Newnham, Rebecca Jackson from Kidderminster Tom Millar & Preston from Neath GRxL, Angela Baker from Taunton, Jayne Hallam from Walsall Annette Peter & Morgan from Haverfordwest GRxL, Kelly Freke from Solihull, Madge Nightingale from Birmingham, Suzanne Boggan from Leamington Spa Janice Powers & Milly from Carmarthen L, Linda Blackwell from Ely, Mr and Mrs Wyatt from Leamington Spa Michael Price & Cody from Cwmbran L, Annette Tadman from Bristol, Isabelle Matthews from Bristol, Steve Parsons from Cirencester Keith Roderick Lloyd & Penny from Haverfordwest LxGR, Valerie Lurcock from Newton Abbot, Janet Peters from Kingsteignton, Mr and Mrs Davies from Telford Linda Storey & Crumble from Holyhead GRxL, Ann Cooper from Swadlincote, Ann Cooper from Swadlincote Maria Marguerite Thatcher & Tasha from Cardiff L, Susan Thomas from Weston-Super-Mare, Rachel Davis from Kettering ++Coventry Diane Bailey & Nigel from Nuneaton L, Dave Messent from Tiverton, Susan Doherty from Newport, VJ Addison from Rugby Rupert Biggs & Ulay from Leicester L, Wendy Moore from Northampton, Ann-Marie & Kevin Meredith from Kidderminster Marcus Chapman & Elki from Rushden GRxL, Alison Nuttall from Redditch, Phil Revill from Southam June Dawkins & Zara from Loughborough LxGR, Mary Elizabeth Roddie from Somerton, Elizabeth Henry from Leamington Spa Tony Ellis & Inga from Northampton GRxL, Suzanne Hickman from Coseley, David Windhaber from Northampton Nigel Enticott & Omar from Rugby L, June Buffry from Ashby De La Zouch, Janice Briggs from Leamington Spa Nessa Graham & Fifi from Market Harborough GRxL, Sally Prime from Walsall, Sarah Pagan from Leamington Spa Tracey Lorraine Ham & Brooke from Coventry LxGR, Annette Smith from Wolverhampton, Philippa Rainbird from Coventry Peter Keeley & James from Hinckley L, Mandi Pearce from Tibberton, Margaret Buckingham from Warwick Lynette Knight & Slipper from Rugby GRxL, Hazel Grimes from Stone, Helen Bonnett from Leigh Anna Lodwick & Lara from Leicester GRxL, Margaret Powell from Rugby, Suzanne Boggan from Leamington Spa David Mitchell & Elliot from Stratford-Upon-Avon GRxL, Steve Ball from Coventry, Phil Revill from Southam Sarah Roberts & Yogi from Warwick STPxL, Yvonne Strawson from Cwmbran, Mr and Mrs Phipps from Lechlade Caroline Skinner & Wanda from Wellingborough L, Wendy Lewin from Malvern, Natasha Brady from Northampton Laura Turner & Hester from Atherstone GRxL, Mervyn Baldwin from Paignton, Mary Wilkins from Atherstone Pamela Wass & Kassie from Leicester L, Fiona Garrett from East Goscote, Pamela Nash from Northampton, Anne-Marie Sparks from Southam ++Edinburgh Shona Armstrong & Oscar from Jedburgh GRxL, Joyce Auld from Glasgow, Rebecca Leat from Towcester Karen Atha & Errol from Whitley Bay GRxL, Stephanie McGrath from Newtownards, Julia Veasey from Leamington Spa Gavin Atkins & Winter from Darlington GRxL, SC Lang from Saint Andrews, Mr and Mrs Taylor from Forfar, Mr and Mrs Coughlan from Lutterworth Kenneth Featherstone & Buddy from Stirling L, Josie Norris from Belfast, Derek and Margaret Hyslop from Dunfermline, Mr and Mrs Chester from Stratford-Upon-Avon Jill Hendry & Bazil from Carron LxGR, Gail Rash from Stonehaven, Les Powell from Coalville Margaret Hutchison & Gigi from Bathgate GR, Carol Woods from Glenrothes, David Thorold from Telford Kathaleen Jackson & Barney from Edinburgh LxGR, Clare Harris from Aberdeen, Les Powell from Coalville Thomas Law & Jed from Tillcoultry GRxL, Malcolm Sproul from Glasgow, Helen Easty from Kettering James Ligertwood & Krissie from Montrose GRxL, Dorothy Galbraith from Kilmarnock, Mr and Mrs Coughlan from Lutterworth Robert Logan & Indy from Ayr GRxL, Adrienne Alcock from Largs, Cathy Steel from Kilmarnock, Vanessa Jones from Rugby Gordon McFarlane & Raffles from Aberdeen L, Jean Campbell from Blairgowrie, Cora Blaver from Northampton Sheila McFarlane & Faith from Aberdeen LxGR, Andrea Henderson from Edinburgh, Sally Elliott from Olney Pamela Meek & Wallis from Bathgate GR, Anna Temple from Forres, Les Powell from Coalville David Newstead & Preston from Lanchester GRxL, Graeme Horton from Dundee, Valerie Veness from Sutton Coldfield Melissa Robson & Winston from Stockton on Tees GRxGSD, Alan Smith from Longniddry, Julia Evans from Bromsgrove Janet Shearer & Yuri from Melrose STPxL, Diana Harkiss from Edinburgh, Mr and Mrs Phipps from Lechlade Gary Wallace & Nigel from Hartlepool GRxL, Helen Baird from Belfast, Helen Easty from Kettering, Diane & Mark Turberfield from Montrose Patricia Wood & Cedar from Forfar GRxL, Jennifer Imrie from Aberdeen, Ann Cooper from Swadlincote ++Exeter Kathryn Brown & Milo from Teignmouth L, Gillian Chard from Penarth, Angela McAuliffe from Wellesbourne Willoughby Dampier & Lucky from Yelverton GRxL, Margaret O’Reilly from Milton Bridge, Janet Stokes from Dudley Laura Fulton & Muffet from Plymouth GRxL, Lee Blanning from Pontypool, Sandra Sweetland from Stratford-Upon-Avon Penelope Gatter & Milo from Budleigh Salterton LxGR, Roger & Eileen Trethewey from Torquay, Tracey Wilkinson from Telford Oliver Gibbons & Sydney from Exmouth L, Richard & Iris Chapple from Martock, Helen Mitchell from Street, Jacki Boyle from Telford Andrew Goddard & Sammy from Bristol GRxL, Helen Mitchell from Street, Shona Jones from Bridgwater, Helen Bonnett from Leigh David Goodwin & Stuart from Plymouth GRxL, Karen Tully from Plymouth, Helen Bonnett from Leigh Alexander Gosney & Marky from Street LxGR, Sue Adams from Cardiff, Carol McAteer from Stourbridge Francesca Hunter & Zara from Plymouth LxGR, Judith Walling from Plymouth, Philippa Rainbird from Coventry Gordon Joyner & Harriet from Bristol LxGR, Anne Wilkinson from Coventry, Elizabeth Morris from Tamworth Councillor Dr Richard Lees & Revel from Taunton L, Geoffrey Beck from Milton Keynes, Tracey Hope from Birmingham, Severine Godson from Banbury, Pat Stafford from Calverton Sheila Lilliman & Freddie from Bristol GRxL, Susan Underwood from Plymouth, Sarah Pagan from Leamington Spa Helen McCann & Alfie from Wells LxGR, Sue Thomas from Pontyclun, Carol McAteer from Stourbridge Ann Molloy & Oliver from Torquay GRxL, Valerie Charles from Cardiff, Tracy Twomey from Leamington Spa Joanne Mountstevens & Reenee from Minehead GR, Vera Townsend from Hinckley, Katherine Baker from Mitcheldean Shirley Musgrove & Jayjay from Torquay GRxL, Sheila Newport from Lichfield, David Windhaber from Northampton David Newton & Webster from Bristol L, Samantha Daniels from Bicester, Gail Saunders from Oxford, Natasha Brady from Northampton Pat Tansell & Zuki from Plymouth LxGR, Christine Short from Paignton, Philippa Rainbird from Coventry David William Ware & Wesley from Buckfastleigh L, Robert White from Torpoint, Natasha Brady from Northampton ++Glasgow Caroline Barnes & Millie from Glasgow L, Eva Evans from Dundee, Sandra Boden from Rugeley Derek Burns & Rags from Glasgow L, Mo O’Brien from Ellon, Amy Mackay from Kirriemuir, Cora Blaver from Northampton Reverend Ingirid Cosby & Oona from Stromness GRxL, Elke Williams from Edinburgh, Rebecca Leat from Towcester Gordon Cowie & Scovi from Glasgow GRxL, Lesley Black from Carnoustie, Hylda Brogden from Kidlington Roy Drever & Elma from Kirkwall GR, Catriona and Neil Macaulay from Dumbarton, Edith Gordon from Clydebank, Linda Mallette from Worcester Fiona Foley & Trixie from Paisley GRxL, Lesley Newberry from Bangor, Hylda Brogden from Kidlington Elaine Foulkes & Pippa from Dumbarton GRxL, Anne Laird from Leven, Jayne Hallam from Walsall Tracey Gorman & Joe from Paisley L, Sandra Littlejohn from Arbroath, Donna Gillbee from Rugby Andrew Herbison & Upton from Fortrose L, Kathleen Coull from Montrose, Margaret Reynolds from Rugby Alistair Kelly & Gus from Glasgow GRxL, Mary & George Chalmers from Grangemouth, Philip Swallow from Warwick Isabelle McGrath & Ice from Glasgow L, Jenny Galbraith from Bangor, Mr and Mrs Chester from Stratford-Upon-Avon Brian McRoberts & Jasmin from Glasgow GSD, Debbie Horne from Selkirk Violet Sutton & Rosie from Inverness L, Susan Rodger from Peebles, Pat Stafford from Calverton John Watret & Yoshi from Glasgow STPxL, Maria Thorburn from Glasgow, Mr and Mrs Phipps from Lechlade ++Hull Lynne Buckley & Ice from Scunthorpe GSD, Peter Emmerson from Durham, Donna Morris from Telford Kelly Cronin & River from York L, Rose Dockray from Poulton-le-Fylde, Gaynor Joice from Morpeth, Pat Stafford from Calverton Jim Doherty & Cracker from York LxGR, Yvonne Reed from Chester-le-Street, Les Powell from Coalville Linda Jameson & Tasha from Cleethorpes GRxL, Peter Robinson from Darlington, Hylda Brogden from Kidlington Janice Lewis & Quilla from Grimsby COLxGR, A Brown from South Shields, Kathryn Bayliss from Walsall Jonathan Parsons & Teddy from Gainsborough GR, Maureen Kinnear from Harrogate, Joy Dickinson from Abingdon Dennis Pearson & Osborne from Spalding GRxL, Sheila Wright from Andover, Caroline Lyons from Nuneaton ++Leeds Christian Burke & Zeus from Shipley L, Ellen Keane from Wigan, Eve Smith from Tanworth in Arden Paul Dickinson & Barnsley from Bradford GSD, Beverley Bainbridge from Higher Blackley, Wendy Jackson from Bury, Amanda Turner from Shrewsbury Teresa Griffin & Nick from Halifax L, Joyce Black from Johnstone, Vanessa Jones from Rugby Bryan Haresign & Aspen from Leeds GSD, Hilary Murray from Leyburn, Mr and Mrs Tindall from Coventry Samantha Heaton & Tango from Dewsbury GRxL, Tracy Callis-Hunter from Nottingham, Sarah Stanley from Rugby Gary Lemm & Jerry from Leeds LxGR, JM McAdams from Spennymoor, J Pearson from York, Sally Elliott from Olney Neil Smalley & Dot from Skipton GRxL, Alastair Borland from Cheshire, Julia Veasey from Leamington Spa Victoria Stevenson & Deejay from Filey GRxL, Maureen Chambers from Huddersfield, Hedley Austen from North Somerset, Vanessa Jones from Rugby Richard Wadwell and Ralph LxGR, Shaun Morris from Malvern, Jacquie Williams from Moreton-inMarsh Elizabeth White & Frankie from Shipley GRxL, Richard Beeching from Chesterfield, Vanessa Jones from Rugby Shirley Wildsmith & Blade from Ripon LxGR, Gill McGarey from Macclesfield, Elizabeth Sagar from Warwick ++Liverpool Jason Mark Bell & Voss from Macclesfield GRxFCR, Jean Endersby from Leeds, Jacqueline Handley from Halifax, Carol Evans from Stourbridge Joanne Birch & Briony from Warrington L, Eunice Renshaw from Stockport, Mr and Mrs Chester from Stratford-Upon-Avon Doctor David Bolt & India from Liverpool GSD, Hilary Selbie from North Queensferry, Donna Morris from Telford Andrew Corke & Naylor from Runcorn GRxL, David Mager from Charfield, S Williams from Birmingham Merlin David Curzon & Elvis from Runcorn GRxL, Lyn Papadopoulos from Liverpool, Julia Veasey from Leamington Spa Colin Fortune & Marnie from Wirral GRxL, Brenda Holmes from Cheshire, Rebecca Leat from Towcester Margaret Guppy & Nicola from Liverpool GR, Michael Hoskins from Prenton Ian Hamilton & Quest from Wirral L, Mark Michael Fox from Manchester, Jackie Elliott from Warwick Lee Hodgson & Emily from Saint Helens GRxL, Hayley Fearnett from Flintshire, Susan Hayes from Northampton Violet Jamieson & Gareth from Liverpool GRxL, Lesley Heal from Crewe, Philip Swallow from Warwick David Kennedy & Luther from Liverpool GRxGSD, Claire Thorington from Northwich, Mr and Mrs Brennan from Warwick Kevin Lyon & Roma from Saint Helens L, Maurice Hodson from Belper, Garth Munton from Derby, Quincey Cattermer from Nottingham, Pat Stafford from Calverton Lyn Marsden & Nikki from Liverpool GRxL, Colin Siddall from Worsley, Helen Easty from Kettering Philip Marshall & Varley from Liverpool GRxFCR, Clarke from Winsford, Carol Evans from Stourbridge Brian Myler & Tessa from Wirral GRxL, John Davis from Bolton, Sarah Stanley from Rugby Colette Ormond & Nella from Birkenhead GRxL, Patricia Wild from Rochdale, Helen Easty from Kettering Sylvia Partington & Marley from Chorley L, Kathleen Allison from Preston, Linda Morris from Stratford-Upon-Avon Monica Price & Ushka from Birkenhead GRxFCR, Amanda Grimley from Nottingham, Lynn Maule from Nottingham, Susan Hollis from Worcester Lynette Proctor & Pippa from Wallasey GRxL, Elizabeth Fenwick from Ilkley, Valerie Veness from Sutton Coldfield Alan Sartorius-Jones & Solly from Runcorn GR, Steve Haberfield from Derby, David Thorold from Telford David Shelton & Chelsea from Liverpool GRxL, Shirley Millner from Macclesfield, Jill Overton from Birmingham Carol Wolstenholme & Petal from Warrington GRxL, Jennifer McDonald from Runcorn, Mavis Knight from Runcorn, Christine Kemp from Wirral, Margaret Black from Mold, Valerie Veness from Sutton Coldfield ++London Kim Canagasabey & Elanor from London GRxL, Elizabeth Richardson from Welwyn, Lynda Graham from Harpenden, Julie Ansell from Knebworth, Robert Whalley from Watford, Phil Revill from Southam Ana Ellisdon & Eljay from London LxGR, Christine Paz from Henley on Thames, Marie Court from Halesowen Erica Grimsey & Dotty from Sutton LxGR, Edward Blundell from Clacton-on-Sea, Janie Macqueen from Fenny Compton Joe Machado & Lorna from London GRxGSD, Mandy Albone from Colchester, Mrs Brennan from Warwick Miriam Osborne & Ellie from London GRxL, Kelly-Marie Fitzsimmons from Peterborough, Phil Revill from Southam Christopher Petrou & Mustard from Ilford LxGR, Tony Moore from Orpington, Mr and Mrs Warner from Pershore Doctor Julia Schofield & Quasia from Twickenham L, Elizabeth Richardson from Welwyn, Sucheta Gammon from Welwyn Garden City, Ruth Smith from Warwick Paula Summers & Doris from Dagenham GRxL, Bernard Curtis from Potters Bar, Lynda Graham from Harpenden, Frances Miller from Hertford, Trish Agnew from Stevenage, Sue Odell from Reading, Helen Bonnett from Leigh Tony Sutton & Yale from Ealing STPxL, Lynda Graham from Harpenden, Barbara Halliwell from Hitchin, Susan Brooker from Harpenden, Mr and Mrs Phipps from Lechlade Karen Underwood & Ruby from Croydon STPxL, Richard Bailey from Southampton, Mr and Mrs Phipps from Lechlade ++Maidstone Kenneth Braybrook & Lemmy from Maidstone L, Michele Green from Billericay, Margaret Buckingham from Warwick Pamela Byrne & Poppy from Peacehaven GRxL, Laura La Porte from Stevenage, Mr and Mrs Phipps from Knebworth, Elizabeth Richardson from Welwyn, Susan Burns from Welwyn, Jayne Hallam from Walsall Sue Eyles & Zara from Hove GRxL, Carolyn Lantaff from Rayleigh, Michelle Richardson from Earl Shilton Elaine Grimsell & Spring from Sevenoaks LxGR, Andrew Simmons from Enfield, Nicola Meekings from London, Elizabeth Henry from Leamington Spa Cy Handley & Bella from Dover GRxL, Angela and Paul James from Chelmsford, Sarah Pagan from Leamington Spa Maureen Lucas & Isabelle from Ramsgate GRxL, Heather Short from West Molesey, Vanessa Jones from Rugby Graham Oulton & Bassey from Hove LxGR, Rachel Holland from Dorking, Mandy Sayce from Bordon, Jackie Day from Saint Albans, Philippa Rainbird from Coventry Paul Smith & Pedro from Maidstone GRxL, Chrissie Kennedy from Waltham Cross, Robin and Michael Betts and Davis from London, Andrea Weddle from Enfield, Jayne Hallam from Walsall Bridget Troy & Bee from Eastbourne L, Sue Hudson from High Wycombe Donna Welch & Jasper from Hove L, Lynn Peck from London, Margaret Buckingham from Warwick ++Manchester Neil Fox & Elsie from Accrington L, Gillian Robinson from Stockport, Mick Piper from Rugby Trudie Garner & Bengie from Rochdale L, Pamela Reeve from Nantwich, Dee Moloney from Leamington Spa Helen Greenhalgh & Zimba from Chorley L, Joanne Barran from Bradford, Eve Smith from Tanworth In Arden Juan Greggor & Wilma from Peel GR, Anne Lifsey from Doncaster, Les Powell from Coalville Les Hankinson & Reno from Ashton-Under-Lyne L, Julie Peel from Durham, Cora Blaver from Northampton Sue Hanrahan & Jessie from Manchester GR, Susan Lendrem from Hartlepool, Joyce Bartlett from Rugby David Harris & Kenny from Lancaster GRxGSD, Mr and Mrs Wildish from Lytham Saint Annes, Trudy Evans from Coventry Joanne Holmes & Dylan from Preston GRxL, Sylvia Buxton from Durham, Mr and Mrs Bell from Leyburn, Rebecca Leat from Towcester Jane Kondras & Caesar from Lancaster GRxL, Peter Simpson from Bury, John Lovett from Telford Janice Lowe & Faye from Oldham L, Rosemary Beddoes from Perth, Dawn Wood from Kenilworth Kathryn Pinnell & Rani from Wigan L, Beverly Field from Stockport, Cora Blaver from Northampton Colin Rigby & Alfie from Rochdale L, Andrea Leigh from Manchester, Penny Lesingham from Daventry Elaine Rowe & Sadie from Morecambe GRxL, Carl Tewson from Arnold, Josephine Daykin from Nottingham, Joan Perry from Southam Julie Savage & Olga from Burnley GRxL, Pat Moran from Halifax, Rebecca Leat from Towcester Craig Slater & Thomas from Bolton GRxL, Elaine Kemp from Blackburn, Steve Shaw from Coalville David Southworth & Bruno from Ashton-Under-Lyne LxGR, Reverend Barbara Holbrook from Nottingham, Les Powell from Coalville Janine Webster & Genie from Fleetwood GRxL, Pauline Smith from Rochdale, Danielle Vaughan from Wigston ++Newcastle Steven Bateman & Connie from Kendal GRxL, Heather Gilmore from Belfast, Jill Overton from Birmingham Susan Cox & Wizard from Sunderland GRxL, Allan Mackay from Glasgow, Mrs Coughlan from Lutterworth Chris Ferguson & Quinta from Saltburn By The Sea COLxGR, Zuzana Gibb from Greenlaw, Kathryn Bayliss from Walsall Maureen Gibson & Freya from Coxhoe LxGR, Stuart and Colette Robertson from Kirriemuir, Dr Rowena Spence from Saint Andrews, Sally Elliott from Olney Gary Hayles & Anna from Newcastle Upon Tyne GRxL, Ann Sullivan from Liverpool, Debbie Taylor from Liverpool, Rachel Davis from Kettering David Heal & Zac from Hartlepool L, Mrs Bumpass from Newport-on-Tay, Eve Smith from Tanworth In Arden Stephen Stubbs & Nana from Darlington L, Patricia Flockhart from Glasgow, Mr and Mrs Bedding from Southam Jan Thackrah & Conway from North Shields GRxL, Valerie Will from Ayr, Jill Overton from Birmingham Arthur Turner & Coco from North Shields GRxL, Ruth Thompson from Ayr, Ann Cooper from Swadlincote Stephen Ward & Quiz from Peterlee L, Samantha Maclachlan from Glasgow, Joy Hodgkiss from Glasgow, Linda Morris from Stratford-Upon-Avon ++Nottingham Steven Blacker & Bodie from Rotherham LxGR, Claire Gibb from Preston, Karin Quarrie from Warrington, Les Powell from Coalville Kim Crossley & Olive from Derby L, Annice Hill from Oldham, Pauline Yates from Rochdale, Naina Winter from Todmorden, Rita Farnsworth from Keighley, Janet Ansell from Kenilworth Roy Dowd & Tag from Nottingham GRxL, Anne Jones from Wakefield, Hylda Brogden from Kidlington Neal Errington & Dexter from Doncaster GR, Janette Adamson from Derby, Liz Eley from Warwick Professor Diane Fazackarley & Arrow from Brighton LxGR, Elizabeth Edmondson from Huddersfield, Anna Adams from Daventry Frank Gardner & Ben from Sheffield L, Alec Birtwistle from Bury, Alyson Nuttall from Warrington, Elaine Roberts from Stourbridge Chris Handrick & Ibsen from Nottingham GSD, Janet Franklin from Saint Helens, Donna Morris from Telford Anne-Marie Harrison & Imogen from Rotherham L, Catherine Corby from Wirral, Jeanette Hannon from Oldbury Julie Leedham & Crumble from High Peak L, Joyce Armstrong from Liverpool, Catherine Gray from Brackley Dawn Miller & Zeke from Doncaster GRxL, Margaret Reynolds from Faversham, Michelle Richardson from Earl Shilton Peter Neely & Finley from Mansfield GRxGSD, Sue Thornhill from Nottingham, Anne Cadwallader from Southam Frances Newton & Helena from Sheffield GRxL, Hazel Whinton from Macclesfield, Dianne Merker from Malvern Roger Purseglove & Zola from Alfreton L, Marion Hill from Chorley, Eve Smith from Tanworth In Arden Terry Rodgers & Emett from Nottingham L, John Templeton from Glasgow, Mick Piper from Rugby Phil Stephenson & Raine from Nottingham L, Rachel Leah from Wirral, Pat Stafford from Calverton Joyce Stirland & Nelly from Sutton-in-Ashfield LxGR, Alison Glover from Cheadle, Michelle Murphy from Leicester Steve Waller & Yves from Barnsley STPxL, Jan Harker from Newcastle Upon Tyne, Mr and Mrs Phipps from Lechlade Joan Ware & Wispa from Sheffield GRxL, Donna Lee from Preston, Mrs Coughlan from Lutterworth Barry Wood & Nick from Barnsley L, Ronald George Stewart from Hartlepool, Bedding from Southam Kay Wright & Velvet from Nottingham L, Robert Sampson from Liverpool, Anne Baulch from Rugby Kay Yallup & Frankie from Sutton-in-Ashfield L, Anne Maddox from Stoke On Trent, Dawn Wood from Kenilworth ++Peterborough Frances Bartlett & Dexter from Norwich GR, Liesl Hadley from Chelmsford, S Priestman from Rushden Peter Bolton & Pickle from March GRxL, Jackie Gardner from Potters Bar, Jayne Hallam from Walsall Gary Bull & Isla from Ipswich GRxL, Paul Doyle from Barnet, David Windhaber from Northampton Barry Burrell & Dylan from Peterborough LxGR, Christine Brown from Leigh-on-Sea, Janie Macqueen from Fenny Compton David Butterworth & Oona from Peterborough GSD, Joan Hattersley from Leatherhead, Carla Nieuwenhuizen from Banbury June Catling & Pebbles from Great Yarmouth GRxL, Natasha Lattimore from Loughton, Jayne Hallam from Walsall John Chilvers & Edward from Ipswich L, Lisa Rooney from Andover, Chris Roche from Andover, Rachel Davis from Kettering Linda Evans & Millie from Lowestoft GRxL, Barbara Cook from Chelmsford, Barbara Swain from Leamington Spa Chris Francis & Nimbus from Sudbury STPxL, Ann Bradford from Fleet, Rachel Cutler from Rugby Sandra Hayward & Zeus from Cambridge LxGR, Myriam Steadman from Welling, Philippa Rainbird from Coventry Peter Hulbert & Oliver from Newmarket L, Ria James from Walton On The Naze, Janice Briggs from Leamington Spa Michael Hunt & Wallis from Bury Saint Edmunds GRxGSD, Heather Hopperton from Buntingford, Jean Nield from Harpenden, Robert Whalley from Watford, Julia Evans from Bromsgrove Richard Lampard & Tim from Felixstowe GRxL, Myra Pritchard from Southampton, Phil Revill from Southam Robert Robins & Harry from Norwich GR, Carole Cull from Derby, Sandra Bradburn- Vazquez from Lichfield Andrew Spragg & Pedro from Downham Market LxGR, Sandra Emsley from Southam, Pam Kimmins from Birmingham Darren Wicks & Lindy from Peterborough LxGR, Patricia Giles from Godalming, Carol Evans from Stourbridge Yijing Zhang & Whisper from Cambridge L, Jade Weston from Wokingham, Janice Burn from Wokingham, Elizabeth Vickers from High Wycombe, Natasha Brady from Northampton ++Reading Simon Amos & Ronan from Coulsdon L, Sophia Atkins from Woking, Debra Williams from Melton Mowbray Sophie Aston & Mia from Crawley LxGR, Nicola Wilson from Colchester, Tracey Wilkinson from Telford Steven Bingham & Kasper from Reading GRxGSD, Julia McClellan from Leatherhead, Trudy Evans from Coventry Peter Bungay & Thomas from Christchurch LxGR, Linda Judith Wilson from Knaresborough, Carol Evans from Stourbridge Giovanni Cirillo & Wilma from Milton Keynes L, Anne Pleace from Maidstone, Natasha Brady from Northampton Lucy Coltman & Woody from Banbury GRxL, Janice McCauley from Sittingbourne, Robert Jones from Rushden Gill Cousins and Bella from Shepperton L, Peter Ratcliffe from Kings Langley, Susan Burns from Welwyn Christopher Craig & Ribbon from Milton Keynes GR, Gloria Holmes from Princes Risborough, Katherine Baker from Mitcheldean Lucette Crowhurst & Parker from Maidenhead GRxL, Janet Stirling from Epsom, Jayne Hallam from Walsall Patricia Denning & Snoopy from Weybridge L, Andrea Dunn from Peterborough, Jacki Boyle from Telford Morris Loya & Enya from Esher GRxL, Pauline Judge from Peterborough, Phil Revill from Southam Shaun Maddock & Marvin from Slough LxGR, Paula Moore from Colchester, Marjorie Culham from Manningtree, Tracey Wilkinson from Telford Pauline Mines & Mary from High Wycombe L, Suzanne Treadaway from Westcliff-on-Sea, VJ Addison from Rugby Jeane Penstone & Ron from Uxbridge LxGR, Wendy Hartwell from Braintree, Kathryn Wroe-Brown from Colchester, Elizabeth Henry from Leamington Spa Gail Size & Amba from Burgess Hill L, Yvonne Collyer from Canvey Island, Chris Dickens from Maidstone, Patricia Twite from Chelmsford, Penny Lesingham from Daventry Paul Voller & Haines from Chichester L, Patricia Canning from Southampton, Steve Parsons from Cirencester Nicola Young & Digby from Chichester GR, Jane Rance from Hoddesdon, S Priestman from Rushden ++Shrewsbury Michael Billingham & Teddy from Walsall GRxL, Susan Cowlishaw from Derby, Hylda Brogden from Kidlington Sue Davies & Morley from Telford L, Margaret Jordan from Leeds, Catherine Gray from Brackley Bill Farebrother & Kai from Shrewsbury L, Helen Douglas from York, Karen Robbens from Leamington Spa Danny Gleeson & Mara from Wolverhampton STPxL, Diane Raine from Middlesbrough, Sue Robinson from Worcester Daniel Griffiths & Quentin from Burton-on-Trent GRxL, Ann Wackett from York, Sue Price from Claverdon Christine Hancock & Karrie from Wolverhampton GRxL, Anne Lindley from Wirral, Mrs Coughlan from Lutterworth Gina Hudson & Jamie from West Bromwich GR, ND Peacock from Middlesbrough, Joyce Bartlett from Rugby John Knight & Nugget from Wolverhampton GSD, Helen Wardle from Nottingham, Donna Morris from Telford Luke Knowles & Yoda from Walsall STPxL, Zandra Tomkinson from Crewe, Mr and Mrs Phipps from Lechlade Paul Meredith & Benji from Stafford L, Elizabeth Ellis Churchill from Leeds, Y Dillon from Warwick Alan Roberts & Tag from Shrewsbury GRxL, Marion Lakhani from Long Eaton, Carole Twells from Nottingham, Steve Shaw from Coalville Carol Trigg & Flora from Burntwood LxGR, Ellen Marshall from Bootle, Sally Elliott from Olney Eric Warner & Brodie from Rowley Regis L, Richard Elcoat from Ticknall, Dee Moloney from Leamington Spa Hazel Wilson & Tillie from Stoke On Trent GRxL, Valerie Brown from Northallerton, Hylda Brogden from Kidlington ++Southampton Mark Brooke-Smith & Pj from Southampton GRxFCR, Severine Godson from Banbury, Alison Jordan from Stafford Paul Ellis & Kola from Basingstoke GRxGSD, Ricky Flanagan from Belfast, Trudy Evans from Coventry Christopher Ford & Pudsey from Poole GRxL, John and Mrs Beryl Hope from Gloucester, Barbara Hagger from Stonehouse, Jayne Hallam from Walsall Elric Heslop & Otto from Bournemouth GSD, Ivan Boyde from Bangor, Carla Nieuwenhuizen from Banbury Sheila Karapetian & Nicole from Southsea GRxL, Beverley Finch from Solihull, Tracey Wilkinson from Telford Brenda Murray & Poppy from Gosport LxGR, Dawn Martin from Ivybridge, Mr and Mrs Davies from Telford Roy Perry & Sheena from Shanklin GRxFCR, Michael Clifford from Neath, John Rogers from Bromsgrove Shivani Verma & Sienna from Southampton L, Mr and Mrs Breckenridge from Solihull, Jacki Boyle from Telford Stephen Winter & Eric from Southampton LxGR, Lesley Morgan from Birmingham, Philippa Rainbird from Coventry ++Welwyn Garden City Marianne Fennymore-Dines & Mary from Clacton-on-Sea LxGR, Pamela Lancaster-Smith from Worcester Park, Carol McAteer from Stourbridge Susan Gilkes & Pebbles from Hertford LxGR, Susan Burns from Welwyn, Mr and Mrs Davies from Telford Melvyn Hockley & Rosie from Chelmsford GR, Vivien Baker from Chelmsford, Katherine Baker from Mitcheldean Robert Long & Oliver from London GSD, Donna Trussler from Colchester, Carla Nieuwenhuizen from Banbury Hilary Millington & Winter from Southend-on-Sea L, Diana Clarke from Swindon, Barbara Clark from Malmesbury, Natasha Brady from Northampton Beryl Pearce & Iris from Borehamwood GRxL, Kim Stacey from Billericay, David Windhaber from Northampton Kerry Perks & Adam from Southend-on-Sea GRxL, Morag Whatley from Dartford, Barbara Swain from Leamington Spa Keith Vertigen & Walter from Clacton-on-Sea L, Alistair Sams from Harwich, Marjorie Culham from Manningtree, Natasha Brady from Northampton ++Breeding Stock Bella, 09.04.13, GSD, Bitch, Mr A London from Hereford, Mr D Rooney from Saint Andrews Bracken, 09.04.13, GSD, Bitch, Mr A London from Hereford, Mrs E Churchill from Leeds Eddie, 09.04.13, GR, Stud, Mrs B Walker from Sutton Coldfield, Mrs J Curzon from Chatham Elizabeth, 04.03.13, GSD, Bitch, Mrs K Rendle from Droitwich, Mrs J Wright from Romford Elvis, 04.03.13, GSD, Stud, Mrs K Rendle from Droitwich, Mrs C Johnson from Kidderminster Fallon, 04.03.13, GR, Bitch, Mrs K Bayliss from Walsall, Mrs B Thomson from Sutton Coldfield Hannah, 08.03.13, GR, Bitch, Mrs K Baker from Mitcheldean, Mrs B Norris from Taunton Hannah, 24.04.13, GR, Bitch, Mrs C Fowler from Southam, Mrs G Brock from Dunfermline Hattie, 04.03.13, GR, Bitch, Mrs K Baker from Mitcheldean, Mrs P Byrne from Northwich Holly, 24.04.13, GR, Bitch, Mrs C Fowler from Southam, Mr & Mrs D Hyslop from Dunfermline Holly, 28.05.13, GR, Bitch, Mrs EA Morris from Tamworth, Mrs J Bright from Benfleet Huw, 11.03.13, GR, Stud, Mrs K Baker from Mitcheldean, Mrs S Rowan from London Ivy, 04.03.13, L, Bitch, Mr W Kelso from Alcester, Mr B Roberts from Brackley Lexie, 28.05.13, GR, Bitch, Mrs EA Morris from Tamworth, Mrs S Marven from Saint Albans Misty, 24.04.13, GR, Bitch, Mrs A Hamilton from Carluke Moy, 24.04.13, GR, Bitch, Ms P Rainbird from Coventry, Mrs M Jennings from Ilkley Porscha, 09.04.13, L, Bitch, Mr & Mrs Meredith from Kidderminster, Mrs M Black from Mold Twiggy, 24.04.13, GR, Bitch, Mrs J Williams from Moreton-in-Marsh, Mr A Weinberg from Maidstone Zoe, 04.03.13, GRxGSD, Bitch, Mrs SE Wilkins from Rugby, Mrs R Parker from Rochford [Back to contents] Close. This is the end of the Autumn 2013 issue of Forward, the magazine of Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Forward Magazine - Autumn 2013 [End.]