Loyal Laois volunteers formally thanked by Irish Guide Dogs charity

Two dedicated volunteers in the Laois branch of the Irish Guide Dogs charity have been recognised for their work at a surprise presentation.

The charity held their annual Open Day on Saturday August 31 in Cork and a number of volunteers who had been nominated by their local fundraising Branch were recognised for their contribution and commitment to the organisation’s work.

The Laois Branch nominated Jim Delaney and Noreen McInerney.

Jim from Timahoe is the man who looks after all the lovely dog and puppy statue donation boxes in shops all around Laois, among his other tasks as treasurer of the county branch.

A retired An Post counter official, Jim began his volunteer role for the Laois Branch in 1997 at the request of Dick Connell.
He told the Leinster Express / Laois Live more.

“I check and empty the collection dogs, and the counter boxes in smaller shops. This year was a bumper year, we got a very substantial donation of €28,000 from Abbeyleix Farm from their Christmas Fair. That is what we would normally raise in a whole year. The money we raise goes towards the cost of guide dogs, with about 85% of the cost from donations.

“It's a charity I've got very fond of. I like that people are there with their dogs, you can see where the money goes.
“The award was a bronze medal and a certificate, it was a lovely surprise. I intend to keep on volunteering as long as I can,” Jim said.

The charity praised his years of efforts.

“Over the years Jim has been a trojan worker in many ways, always willing to take on any task that is required, contacting volunteers for various events throughout the year, emptying the collecting dogs and boxes, counting and banking the proceeds to name but a few.

“We hope that Jim will continue to be involved in our Laois Branch for many more years to come as we also treasure him.”

Noreen McInerney from Portlaoise has been volunteering to raise awareness since she got her first Guide Dog Hugh eight years ago. Sadly Hugh died after he retired two years ago, but Noreen is glad to have a new guide dog, Yorik.

A qualified masseuse and reflexologist, Noreen has Retina Pigmentosa which severely limits her vision. She says she found it difficult to win customers and run a business because of her visual impairment and is now studying for a secretarial qualification and hoping for work experience locally.

“A guide dog is an absolute lifesaver for someone with visual impairment. Yorik is my companion, bodyguard and means of transport. It costs nearly €40,000 to raise and train each dog so donations are important. His brother and sister are also trained as guide dogs.

“I have to walk almost everywhere, It is hard to get a taxi driver that accepts a dog. In Portlaoise you get the usual obstacles like signs on footpaths but there are many new tactile crossings, that is a help. People need to be more considerate where they park, Yorik sometimes has to bring me out on the road to get by, that's not ideal,” Noreen said.

She was surprised to be thanked for volunteering.

“I wanted to give back some of what Irish Guide Dogs give me. It is amazing to get the recognition for all the times I turned up at the stalls.

“It was a shock, you don't volunteer to get something back. I was there with my foster dad, I couldn't bring Yorik. It was great to meet everyone else, they had Paw Patrol characters, food, a bouncy castle, it was a lovely day.”

The charity sums up the good work Noreen does.

“Noreen is always willing to help with any event that requires the presence of a guide dog owner. Noreen has for the last number of years attended various schools in Portlaoise to speak to teachers and students about her life with a Guide Dog as she is very well-versed on the services of the charity and is more than capable of answering any questions students pose,” they said.

Tim O’Mahony is Chief Executive Officer of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

“We are delighted to recognise Jim and Noreen for their timeless support of the charity through the years.

“We look forward to their continued involvement with us in the future. Our community of volunteers nationwide are excellent and we would not exist without their support.”

The Laois branch is about to hold their annual Church Gate Collections and are accepting volunteer help.

The collections takes place around Laois towns on the weekend of September 28 and 29. Anyone who wants to help out, or to donate in Laois, is asked to ring Jim on 087 4746519.

Puppy raisers are also needed, with costs paid.

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is a national charity dedicated to helping people living with sight loss or autism to improve their mobility and independence.

Services include the Guide Dog Programme for people who are vision impaired, The Assistance Dog Programme for families of children with autism, Community Dog Programme, Orientation and Mobility Training and Independent Living Skills.
See www.guidedogs.ie