Donate in Aid of Guide Dogs

Hi, my name is Martha, I'm 15 and I am doing a sponsored swim of 150 lengths of a 25m pool in 2 hours to raise money and awareness for Guide Dogs. This charity has always quite literally been close to home as my mum is blind, therefore I have grown up in a household with Guide Dogs and can see how amazing they are. For instance when I was 7 and our old guide dog Fable passed away, my mum had to wait to get a new one, and while she was waiting I noticed a huge difference in how social she was, how much she got out and her confidence as having her guide dog by her side was such a game changer.

Guide Dogs needs more awareness, as this is a charity that dedicates itself to helping people living with visual impairment and sight loss. Even though this is a vital charity, which changes peoples lives, they rely on donations from people like you and me which is why it's so so important that you donate, no matter how small!

Many people don't see the point in Guide Dogs as some people who are visually impaired use a white cane, but for others this is really hard, or they feel socially awkward about it. However with a Guide Dog, they have a fuzzy companion who will unconditionally love them right by their side wherever they go.

For many people, not having a Guide Dog when they need one is equivalent to a person with paralysis not being able to have a wheelchair.

Guide Dogs really needs your money, This is why.

In 2022 we created 387 new guide dog partnerships and supported 4,065 existing guide dog and buddy dog partnerships.

Provided support through digital information and advice 2.5 million times.

Provided expert information and advice through more than 51,000 calls to our Guide Line.

Supported 698 My Sighted Guide partnerships.

Provided 4,548 My Life Skills interventions for adults.

Helped children with a vision impairment to learn essential life skills 4,235 times, so they can navigate the

world around them confidently and safely.

Helped children and family members 805 times through Guide Dogs My Time to Play.

Supported families 643 times through our Family Support and Education Support services.

Our Custom Eyes Books team delivered 6,289 accessible books to families.

Provided 2,499 free iPads to children and young people with a vision impairment.

Partnered 52 children with a buddy dog, helping to improve their confidence and wellbeing, and supported a total of 266 partnerships.

Guide Dogs not only provide Dogs to people with a visual impairment, but they help children and adults living with sight loss as well, for instance:

£4 could buy a foil space blanket for a child to explore texture and sounds through play.

£25 could pay for a child to attend a Guide Dog Experience Day, where they can learn all about our guide dogs.

£26 could pay for a child to attend a Guide Dogs My Time to Play session, where they can learn important skills through play.

£31 could buy a Balance Board to help a child develop essential gross motor skills, such as coordination, balance and strength.

£43 could pay for a one-to-one online session with a Family Support Specialist, providing vital emotional support.

£51 enables us to produce a tailor-made, large print book for a child with sight loss, so they can enjoy reading just like their friends.

£126 could pay for an Education Review for a child to get the specialist support and equipment they need at school.

£296 could buy a Fine Motor Skills Bundle, providing a package of toys carefully selected by our experts.

£1,240 could buy a young person a laptop kit, complete with assistive technology such as Supernova magnifier and speech.

Please donate as much as you can, as this is a truly life changing charity, that helps people to live their dreams with confidence, everyday of their lives.