13 October 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
File photo: Patricia Nugent and Maeve Kingston from Irish Guide Dogs promoting Guide Dog Day at Ballincollig Shopping centre earlier this year.
Pic. Provision
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind – which is headquartered on the Model Farm Road, Cork – yesterday launched its raffle for a brand new Ford Focus, which has been kindly donated by Ford Ireland. Members of the public who wish to support Irish Guide Dogs can buy a ticket for €5 online or in shopping centres around the country which will be visited by the organisation, along with some Guide Dogs, over the next few weeks.
Speaking to TheCork.ie, Leonard Lloyd, Head of Fundraising, Irish Guide Dogs, thanked Ford Ireland for donating the car.
“With World Sight Day on October 8th, an international focus has been placed on vision impairment and blindness. Here in Ireland, Irish Guide Dogs is at work on the ground supporting more than 350 working Guide and Assistance Dog partnerships. We also provide training on orientation and mobility, independent living skills and a “Next Step” programme to help young adults with the transition to college and the working world. We can provide our services for free only thanks to the generous support of the public. We rely on fundraising and donations for 80% of our income so everyone who contributes to the raffle is making a real difference to our work in promoting independence and mobility,” he said.
Ciarán McMahon, Managing Director of Ford Ireland joined the Irish Guide Dogs to launch the raffle at Irish Guide Dogs HQ and Training Centre in Cork.
“We are delighted to support Irish Guide Dogs once again this year by donating a Ford Focus for one lucky winner of the raffle. The partnership between our two organisations began back in 2011, so this is a cause we are really committed to. There is no substitute for the impact a Guide Dog can have on the life of a client – it gives them mobility and a sense of independence that is priceless. The organisation also does important work equipping families of children with autism with Assistance Dogs and providing valuable training programmes. We would urge the public to support the raffle online or in person at shopping centres across the country,” Ciarán said.
Between now and the end of the year, Irish Guide Dogs will visit shopping centres ranging from Mahon Point Shopping Centre in Cork to Dundrum Shopping Centre in Dublin to promote the raffle. The public can meet representatives of Irish Guide Dogs as well as some dogs in those locations as they purchase tickets.
Members of the public can also buy tickets online at www.guidedogs.ie. The closing date for entry to the raffle is 11th of December 2015.
