Help out guide dogs charity
A CHARITY that helps people with sight loss get their lives back with the help of a guide dog is seeking more volunteers in Burton.
Guide Dogs says it has a number of different roles available, and that people can even support it from the comfort of their own home.
Barry Marsden, a guide dog owner and fundraising volunteer, set up a fundraising group in Burton after his life changed when he got his guide dog, Woody.
Barry said: “My life would be very different if it wasn’t for Guide Dogs. Since I’ve had my dog Woody, I’ve been a lot more independent and I’m able to live my life the way I choose.
“I am now a volunteer fundraiser as I wanted to give something back to the charity that helped me. I absolutely love volunteering as it’s great to meet so many new people, and I feel like I’m a part of a community.”
Guide Dogs relies on donations to provide its services to people with sight loss, and, like most charities, income has significantly dropped this year. Mary Conner, community fundraising relationship manager, said: “We need fundraising volunteers more than ever to help us to continue providing the life-changing services to people living with sight loss. “We’ve got a few different volunteer roles available in Burton, so there’s something available for everyone – you can even support us from the comfort of your own home! “We provide volunteers with support and training. All we ask is for them to be enthusiastic, motivational and a good communicator.” Guide Dogs’ existing volunteers have shown dedication and resilience during 2020 and have worked hard to find new ways to fundraise.
Mary added: “Our volunteers have kept in touch with us and with each other throughout 2020 and it goes to show what an amazing sense of community there is. It’s been a tough year for a lot of people, but volunteering has given some people something to focus on.” To find out more, visit guidedogs. org.uk/volunteer or call 0118 983 8756.