'So thankful' for huge Guide Dog help in Laois

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.

"Our branch raised in in excess of €3,640. We were so thankful to the generosity of the public who donated or bought some merchandise and souvenirs. We are also very thankful to our branch volunteers who gave us a helping hand and mostly their friends and Guide Dogs who are so gentle," he said.

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.

Read more: Loyal Laois Guide Dog volunteers given special recognition

The Laois branch is reaching out to ask for more volunteers.

"The branch would like to recruit local volunteers especially people who have retired and can give some of their free time we will welcome them with open arms," Dick said.

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.

Read also: Joy as precious lost ring found at Portlaoise service station

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.