Brian backs guide dogs campaign

FOR Brian O’Driscoll, holding onto a six-month-old guide dog makes a change from holding onto an English front row forward.

The 23-year-old Irish captain yesterday became the latest sporting celebrity to back the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind's summer fundraising dinner. Next month, Roy Keane will front the Shades for a Day campaign to raise the money needed for training, equipping and feeding guide dogs.

"The sports people have been very generous with their time. It makes an awful difference to have world-famous celebrities let people know that their is a guide dog service free of charge for people who need it," said the association's regional development manager Breda Clancy.