£2000 boost to help Guide Dogs
A West Lothian group has raised thousands of pounds for charity.
The West Lothian Concise Group are pleased to have raised over £2000 in recent months for Guide Dogs Scotland.
In just one year, the group has gone from a few fledgling members to a growing community project for anyone with an interest in guide dogs.
The group’s passion and commitment has led to fundraising efforts, such as doing the Kiltwalk together and helping out at other events. These events alone raised more than £2000 for Guide Dogs Scotland.
Christine Collier, the group coordinator at West Lothian Concise Group, said: “They all had a great time on the day and between them the total will be over £2000. We are very grateful to the family and friends who contributed not only by donation, but the support and encouragement given to the group members.
“Our group have further events planned for the rest of the year, and if anyone would like to find out if fundraising is something they’d like to become involved in, then our donate an hour campaign is a little taster. ”
The group’s treasurer Bob Sim also recently completed Sense’s five-mile run in Glasgow.
Bob is visually impaired and well aware of the daily difficulties endured by those with visual impairment. He completed the event alongside his guide dog, Gem, where participants were invited to run, walk, jog, or skip, over the course, while experiencing the five senses - Touch, Smell, See, Taste and Listen.
Concise plan to continue on with their fundraising and in October are aiming to raise £420,000 with their ‘donate an hour campaign’ to enable them to support the lifetime costs of seven guide dog puppies from birth to retirement.
Anne Rowse, community fundraising officer for Guide Dogs Scotland, said: “I joined the group’s latest coffee and chat. This group has really supported each other when things have gone wrong.
“One of our guide dog owners has recently had his dog retired on medical grounds, and the group has gone the extra mile to ensure he is able to get along to events and social activities.
“One member had a fall last month going to the meeting and broke her arm, but she still made it to the coffee and chat pinned and plated up, because that’s what this group means to the local community.”
When we first reported on them last year the group were placing collection boxes with retailers and businesses and going into the community and handing out leaflets providing information on the services offered by Guide Dogs Scotland.
The charity has since grown and this ambitious plan to fund seven guide dogs is the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work.
Their most recent event was a tea party at Carmondean Community Church in Livingston.
If you are interested in joining the West Lothian Concise Group, or helping them to fundraise, just drop in to their coffee and chat on the first Thursday of every month at the Paraffin Lamp Pub in Livingston Centre at 11am.
We are very grateful to the family and friends who contributed