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FESTIVE FUNDRAISING BOOST FOR NEWPORT GUIDE DOGS
Newport railway station has been lit up by a festive Christmas tree in a partnership between Guide Dogs for the Blind, Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) and Hurrans Garden Centre.
The tree is a focal point for fundraising and awareness raising activities by volunteers from Guide Dogs’ Newport branch in the run up to Christmas.
Throughout South Wales, there are 250 guide dogs, providing freedom and mobility to local blind and partially sighted people.
Diana Mager, corporate regional account manager for Guide Dogs, said: “We train around 50 puppies at our centre in Cardiff each year and also have a number of volunteer ‘walkers’ who help care for and educate a puppy during the first 12 months of its life. It can cost £5,000 to support one puppy through its first year and up to £35,000 throughout its life.”
She continued: “Many visually impaired people rely on public transport and this fundraising will help us continue to support guide dog owners in the Newport area.”
Rachel Woodsford, station manager for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Guide Dogs and assist with their Christmas fundraising campaign. The generosity of passengers and staff will help to ensure the future development of services and allow greater independence to blind or partially sighted people wishing to travel by public transport.”
Arriva Trains Wales provides free access to stations and trains for puppy walkers. During 2007, ATW also launched its ‘Assistance Dog Seat Reservation Scheme’. The scheme allows guide dog and other assistance dog users to reserve a space in front of an adjacent seat to provide a safe and comfortable environment for the dog when travelling by train.
