Keane backs guide dogs fundraising drive

Roy Keane once again put his rivals in the shade as he backed a bid to raise thousands of euro for much-needed guide dog training.

The skipper encouraged everyone to sport a pair of sunglasses during Shades 2005, the national fundraising week for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The Cork player said: “I have been asked by a lot of people over the years to get involved in different charities and obviously there are a lot of good causes out there.

“I was asked about three years ago would I get involved in the guide dogs and I asked them what it was about,” he said. “I was delighted to come on board.”

Padraig Mallon, chief executive of the charity, said the fundraising event, Shades 2005, which will run from May 2 to May 7 next was vital.

“It costs about €2.5m this year to keep guide dogs going and our services are provided totally free of charge,” Mr Mallon said.

“We raise 85% of our funds through voluntary donations and fundraising so that is why days like this are hugely important to us.”

Keane invited schools, businesses and organisations to join in the fundraising event.

The charity is calling on people to donate €2 to wear their shades to school and work, or buy a Shades guide dog badge.

“This year we will train 75 people in Cork and around the country amid support for over 250 client service uses,” Mr Mallon said at the launch in Dublin’s Radisson SAS hotel.

“Our service users come to us for a lot of things including mobility, guide dog training, training in our independence living skills.”

Mr Mallon appealed to clubs and pub around the country to join in the fundraising efforts and hold an event.

He said the association raised €180,000 on the single Shades day last year, but it was hoping to raise €360,000 on the week-long event.

The organisation said the Shades pins would be available in Specsavers stores or dozens of other shops around the country from next April.

:: Information on the event can be found at www.guidedogs.ie or by ringing 1850 506 300.