Irish Guide Dogs appeal for your help as they launch fundraising drive

After four decades of outstanding service to the visually impaired community and over a decade working with families of children with autism Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is set to launch their most important fundraising campaign since they first began in 1976.

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind’s national campaign Guide Dog Day takes place from April 29th to May 7th. Full details and locations are available at www.guidedogs.ie.

The unique national charity provides life transforming services to over a thousand Clients, their families and communities. They rely entirely on public support for donations that must make up over 80% of the income required to provide these services. The cost of training a puppy up to the standard of work required as a Guide or Assistance Dog is €38,000.

Speaking on the launch of Guide Dog Day Padraig Mallon, CEO of Irish Guide Dogs, said: “2016 is our 40th Anniversary, it is a very special year for us as an organisation... We are currently operating with a gap of almost €500,000 between our income and the costs associated with maintaining services at current levels.

"We know the continued support of the wider community will not be found wanting this year when you meet with our band of almost 2000 volunteers and staff on the streets of our cities and towns, and in Tesco and Aldi across the country. We are delighted this year that many hundreds of retailers and businesses across Ireland will also host collection boxes for sales of our unique Guide Dog Day pins and Independence wristbands.”

Mr. Mallon continued: “The situation right now is very difficult for us and our clients. We have a significant waiting list also for our Guide Dog Clients and we have had to keep the waiting list for Assistance Dogs closed since 2013.

"Irish Guide Dogs was also forced to close its waiting list for its Assistance Dog Programme for children with Austism due to a massive over-demand for its service.

"Over 60 children with Autism are currently on the national charity’s Assistance Dog waiting list, which is approximately a three year wait.

"Support for Guide Dog Day will allow us to significantly reduce these distressing waiting times and to extend out the offer of our services to so many more in need. Our vision is where everyone is able to live independently and have equal access to all the resources of our society. With support of the public on April 29th as well as all our other events we can achieve so much more of that vision.”

READ MORE: Watch Elvis the labrador learning how to be a guide dog

Irish Guide Dogs delivers its’ services completely free of charge to all clients. Guide Dog Day is its biggest national campaign with collection points all over Ireland.

To support Guide Dog Day:

• Text WOOF to 50300 to donate €4. (100% of text goes to Irish Guide Dogs across most network operators. Some operators apply VAT which means that a minimum of €3.25 will go to Irish Guide Dogs. Service provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 0766805278.)

• Buy a pin or independence band for €2 at its street, Tesco and Aldi collections, and at hundreds of retailers and businesses all around the country from Friday 29th April. Visit their Irish Guide Dogs website for the full listing.

READ MORE: Watch Elvis the labrador learning how to be a guide dog