'So thankful' for huge Guide Dog help in Laois
Thousands raised in Laois train Guide Dogs
Laois people gave generously on the recent National Guide Dog Day, to help pay towards the steep price of training the special dogs.
The annual national fundraising day, Guide Dog Day, took place on Friday, May 23 and Laois volunteers with their guide dogs manned collections at Mulhall's SuperValu and Dunnes Stores, in Portlaoise.
Branch member Dick Connell told the Leinster Express / Laois Live how they got on, and explained how they need more help.
Portlaoise volunteer Noreen McInerney with her Guide Dog Yorik and Alan Casey from Guide Dogs Cork assistant dog trainer, at the recent fundraiser.
Dick listed the ways that Irish Guide Dogs helps its members, and it is much more than the wonderfully trained free dogs.
"National Guide Dog day is a very important event for fundraising and awareness to inform the public what the Irish Guide Dogs charity provides.
"They give services like long cane training and Guide Dogs for blind people and people with Autism. They also teach independent living skills, and computer skills.
"All of these services are free to their clients. Fundraising is their main source of income to cover something like 80% of costs. The rest is some government funding, lotto funds, and bequests where people can leave money in their will.
"Fundraising is ongoing as it costs €53,000 to train Guide Dogs while there is a long waiting list for assistant dogs programme," Dick Connell said.
The Laois branch is reaching out to ask for more volunteers.
The Irish Guide Dogs most famous ambassador Roy Keane, pictured with guide dog Keano.
To enquire about volunteering with the Laois Branch of Irish Guide Dogs, contact chairman Paul Brown at 0877725264, treasurer Jim Delaney at 0874746519, or Dick Connell 087 277 6450.
See how to sponsor a puppy, donate, shop, or even become a puppy raiser, on the Irish Guide Dogs website.
The charity is also holding a raffle with a €5,000 holiday voucher as the first prize.