Guide Dogs Fundraising

Our Guide Dogs Fundraising Co-ordinator Jill Ramsay has just spent a brilliant holiday in Canada. Whilst in Vancouver, sitting in the sun outside a Starbucks Coffee House at the Hotel, she met a young blind girl with her guide dog. The girl told Jill that a dog trainer from the UK had gone out there and started a guide dog training centre. Her dog was a golden Labrador. She hadn't had him long but she said the difference he had made to her life was unbelievable, from having been restricted on where she went, she now goes everywhere and does not need somebody to go with her or guide her. She could go for a walk, get a coffee, for example - things that previously she could not have done on her own. So keep up the good work everyone - it make a huge difference to people's lives!

Here's a round up of what's been happening lately...

Cromwell Doncaster have just held a golf day and raised nearly £295.

Luton branch had a corporate Go Karting event at which one of our customers, ITT Jabsco Sports and Social Club, presented us with a cheque for £80 - Many thanks to them for this.

Apex Fife sent a grand total of £765 which was raised by a Regional Golf Day and Fife branches Snooker Night. Many thanks to all for this large sum from one of our smaller areas. Go for it, Fife!

The Sheffield Race Night had raised a GRAND TOTAL of £2,030 and Saturday, 8th December 2008 saw the presentation of this and the other donations to the Guide Dog Association. This will train two more guide dogs;- one named "Ernie" in memory of David Hearnshaw, former Senior Representative at Sheffield, and the second, to be named "Jay-Jay", in memory of John Jones, former Divisional Sales Manager at Sheffield. How brilliant is that? David's widow Eileen and his two sons Gary and Darren travelled to Wigston to attend the presentation together with former colleagues from the Management and Staff at Sheffield. Unfortunately, Jackie Jones could not be present but was represented on the day by Dennis Briggs, Commercial Manager at Cromwell Sheffield.

Everyone was pleased to see MG again and he formally presented our cheque to representatives of the Guide Dog Association before handing over memento's to the family representatives.

Authors: Jill Ramsey/Peter Curtis

Our thanks as always go to Jill Ramsey for organising the presentation and for all of the sterling work she continues to do on behalf of our Company.