Solihull Guide Dogs celebrate first meeting of 2016 - The Solihull Observer

Solihull Guide Dogs celebrate first meeting of 2016

Solihull Editorial 27th Feb, 2016 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

THERE was much to celebrate at the Solihull Guide Dog branch’s first meeting of 2016 – a record year of fundraising and 5o years of Guide Dog ownership for one member.

A massive £66,000 was raised by the branch – more than enough to pay for the entire working life of a Guide Dog which is estimated at around £50,000.

The meeting was also used to pay tribute to Guide Dog user Ray Dale who has owned Guide Dogs for over 50 years.

Ray and his dog Oyster were presented with a certificate and cake at the first meeting of 2016 – by Guide Dog Mobility instructor Kenna Murray.




In a strange twist of fate it was Kenna’s mother-in-law who bred Ray’s first Guide Dog Queenie more than 50 years ago.

Over the years Ray has been paired with seven Guide Dogs, at a cost of many thousands of pounds, proving the importance of the fundraising work the Solihull Guide Dogs branch does.


Ray said: “My Guide Dogs have been a lifeline and a means of getting around independently for which I will always be grateful.”

Branch Treasurer Kenneth Fear (a Guide Dog owner himself), added: “It was a fantastic year, and a tribute not only to all the volunteers within the branch, but is also a reflection of the generosity of the general public and of a number of businesses in the area which made it possible.

“If it were not for the donations of the general public and the support of local businesses and superstores, people like Ray and I would not be able to have the independence that our Guide Dogs bring as the cost of each dog (about £50,000 over its working life) is met entirely from public giving.”

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Solihull Observer.

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Solihull Observer.