2 days ago
Guide Dogs fundraisers thank Lanarkshire shoppers for support
Volunteers from the Hamilton group raised £1500 with a stall and collection at Tesco in Carluke.
Fabulous fundraisers from Hamilton's Guide Dogs group collected an impressive £1500 for the charity thanks to the support of generous staff and customers at Tesco in Carluke.
Volunteers and their canine companions sold charity merchandise and received donations from shoppers at the store on Lanark Road to reach the total, which will be used to support the charity's life-changing work for people with sight loss, including raising and training vital guide dogs.
New supporters are being invited to get involved with the fundraising group, in roles ranging from regular or occasional helpers to deputy group co-ordinator or secretary.
Guide Dogs, which is almost entirely dependent on public donations, told how it costs £102,000 to raise, train and support a guide dog from birth to retirement – and Hamilton fundraising group co-ordinator William Vaughan said: 'I know the difference these donations can make.'
He had his first guide dog, Murdoch, for seven years; and is now supported by current companion Sweep, who has been with him for the past year.
William said: 'I got Murdoch in 2016 and he was a great dog that changed my life – he kept me safe and enabled me to do so much, including travelling all over the UK. Sadly, Murdoch passed away late 2023 and I felt like I wasn't able to go anywhere.
'I was invited to join the local Guide Dogs fundraising group around that time. I wasn't sure if this was right for me, but I liked that I would get to meet other dogs. It turned out to be amazing and the positive response from the public is overwhelming.'
He teamed up with black Labrador cross golden retriever Sweep in July 2024 and is back to living an 'active and independent life' – and said: 'Sweep is so eager to please, from when he gets up in the morning to the time he goes to bed. He loves it when he is at an event; he gets a day where the harness goes off he loves interacting with the public.'
Fundraising group co-ordinator William added: 'With having those responsibilities, I was able to learn about other parts of volunteering within Guide Dogs, from being a puppy raiser to fostering dogs whilst on their training – but fundraising is the one for me. You become part of a family, not only when fundraising but outside this role too.'
Guide Dogs west of Scotland community fundraising manager Sandi Johnson said: 'I am so proud of the Hamilton fundraising group who attended Tesco Carluke and raised over £1500.
'These volunteers are so passionate and out in all weathers, making a huge difference to local people living with a vision impairment in our communities. Thank you to Tesco shoppers who donated, and to the staff who welcomed and looked after our volunteers.'
Now local residents are being invited to join the successful Hamilton fundraising group – who received an award for their efforts in raising £13,000 for the charity, which has a base at Auchingramont Road.
The group is seeking a deputy co-ordinator and a secretary to help with its administration, and would also like to hear from anyone interested in helping with fundraising activities whether regularly or doing so now and again.
