Guide Dogs group volunteer appeal

Three volunteer co-ordinators and fundraisers are urgently needed in West Somerset by the charity Guide Dogs to help a new group get up and running.

They would be tasked to organise community events and collections and help raise funds and awareness.

Guide Dogs relies on donations to keep its services running – it costs about £55,000 to train and support a guide dog partnership – and has suffered with the impact of Covid-19 putting a dent in much of its face-to-ace activities over the last year.

While lots of activity is still happening online, some of the groups across the country have started planning events ready for summer.

The West Somerset group needs a group, a merchandise and a box co-ordinator to join the treasurer in the area to be able to participate in events this year.

Stephie Millin, volunteering co-ordinator for Guide Dogs in the area, said volunteers were a crucial part of the ‘Guide Dogs family’.

“They not only raise vital funds for our life-changing services, but also help to spread the word in their local communities about what Guide Dogs do and how we support people living with sight loss,” she said.

About two million people are living with sight loss in the UK. Guide Dogs supports people with a visual impairment to maintain their independence and live the life they choose.

Services on offer range from the guide dog service through to children and young people’s services, access to technology and volunteer-led services such as My Sighted Guide – a human rather than a canine guide.

The charity is looking for people who have lots of spare time or just an hour a week. Full training and support is provided. To apply go to www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer or call 0345 1430191.