The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Tonight sees the return of our latest TV advert, showcasing the life-changing support we provide for people with sight loss from childhood to adulthood. Head over to our website to find out more and go behind the scenes to meet our wonderful cast and crew on set 👉 https://bit.ly/49E2f3h [AD version: https://lnkd.in/e8GBaZE4] #GuideDogs #GuideDogsUK #ChildhoodToAdulthood

“We can’t go out when there are fireworks on. We were caught out last year in Manchester while visiting family. We left early at 1pm, but the train broke down, so we were stuck for hours. By the time we got back, it was already dark. It was awful. Eddie was trying to hide in shop doorways and wouldn’t walk. He was still so frightened the next day. He didn’t want to go out, didn’t want to eat” Guide dog owner Amanda with guide dog Eddie. Ahead of Bonfire night weekend, our new poll suggests that more than a quarter of working guide dogs have a significant negative reaction to fireworks 🎆 26% of guide dog owners reported that their guide dogs show signs of fear and distress when hearing fireworks, with a range of reactions such as trembling, pacing, panting or barking. A further 12% of owners stated that their guide dogs are noticeably uncomfortable when fireworks are going off nearby. We’re urging people to attend organised local displays this year. Such events adhere to set times and dates so allow guide dog owners and other dog owners to prepare. Read our fireworks advice for dog owners 👉 https://bit.ly/3GqT88e [Visual descriptions: Image one shows golden retriever Eddie with his head lying on owner Amanda's knees, wearing his harness and looking up to camera] #Fireworks #BonfireNight #FireworksSafety #GuideDogs #GuideDog #DogOwners #Advice #Tips

We’ve signed NCVO's letter to the chancellor, to protect charities from increased employer National Insurance Contributions 👇 [Visual description: Text on a purple background. Text reads "Make your voice heard! Increased National Insurance contributions are expected to cost charities 1.4BN. Join us in calling on the chancellor for urgent action. Sign our open letter to the chancellor today" Also visible is an image of a pen and piece of paper]

And that’s a wrap for the 2024 Guide Dogs Puppy Appeal! 👏 As we begin to tot up the total amount raised, we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who joined our pack and supported us by donating, sponsoring a puppy, fundraising or volunteering during October. The money you helped raise means we can raise and train the life-changers of tomorrow. 💙 We’ve had over 2,250 amazing fundraisers who signed up to get involved by either taking on the 100km dog walk challenge, becoming a Guide Dogs Puppy Appeal Champion and fundraising in their community, or choosing to try out volunteering by donating an hour of their time at a local bucket collection. Thanks to our existing volunteer fundraising groups for co-ordinating around 400 collections and events across the month and welcoming so many new faces to the Guide Dogs family, and also thank you to our team of inspirational volunteer Speakers for playing a key part in sharing the importance of our work at so many schools, community groups and businesses to boost our donations too! If you’ve haven’t had chance to pay in the money you raised, head to guidedogs.org.uk/appeal for all the details. [Visual description: A series of six images showcasing the amazing fundraising activities that took place throughout October including bucket collections, speaker events, fundraising days at workplaces, and not forgetting the four-legged fundraisers too who helped out at so many events and took part in our 100km challenge with their owners. ] #GuideDogsUK #GuideDogsPuppyAppeal #WorkplaceFundraising

We were thrilled to welcome our Patron, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh, for a special visit to our Reading Hub today, to learn more about the services we provide for children with vision impairments. The Duchess of Edinburgh met 12 families with children aged 1-18, attending an event to develop their independent living skills through the support and companionship of their buddy dogs. The children shared personal stories about how much their buddy dogs mean to them and the day was filled with engaging activities, including a hands-on Halloween-themed dog treat-making session. “The Duchess of Edinburgh’s enthusiasm brought real joy to the day filled with smiles, wagging tails, and a lot of Halloween fun! We are incredibly grateful to Her Royal Highness for raising awareness of the impact buddy dogs can have on shaping young lives of children with sight loss.” Robbie Campbell, Buddy Dog Operations Manager at Guide Dogs [Visual description: Four images. Image one shows Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh stood between two children, The Duchess is speaking to them as they are sat around a table, wearing chefs hats and baking. Image two shows The Duchess crouched down stroking a buddy dog while surrounded by a family, they are all laughing and smiling. Image three shows The Duchess sat at a table smiling, there is a measuring jug and baking utensils laid out on the table. Image four shows The Duchess sat at a table having a conversation with a young man, there are mixing bowls and baking utensils laid out on the table in front of them.]

Our pups want to wish you a happy Howl-o-ween, as they play with their spooktacular new toys at the National Centre! 👻🎃 Watch now on our YouTube channel! 👉 https://bit.ly/40pUiNG [Visual description: video shows a litter of yellow and black golden retriever cross Labrador puppies running around and playing in an outdoor pen with a selection of Halloween themed toys and pumpkins. Their names appear on screen as they come into frame. The names in order are Dolce, Darwin, Duffy, Dougie and Duke.]

Start something Spooktacular with your colleagues, friends or social group and fundraise to name a guide dog puppy. We’ll treat you to adorable pupdates and photographs as you follow their journey with us 👉 https://lnkd.in/d7XXRpx Happy Halloween! 👻 [Image Description: Yellow Labrador, Guide dog Autumn, is pictured sitting among autumn leaves beside a small pumpkin and a black cat. A ‘Trick or Treat’ sign hangs on a tree in the background.] #GuideDogsUK #WorkplaceFundraising #Halloween

Every day 250 people in the UK start to lose their sight. Every day, Guide Dogs provides the life-changing services and support for people affected by sight loss. Our Fund Race sport challenge for schools and youth groups includes postcards to send home to parents to remind them of the importance of eye checks. Download your free pack today 👉 bit.ly/FundRace24 [Visual description: Two women with the Fund Race pack in a school hall hold up and look at the Fund Race postcard template.] #GuideDogsUK #School #YouthGroups

Give the gift of independence to someone living with sight loss by sponsoring a guide dog puppy, like Buttons ✨ Could you sponsor his journey to become a life-changing guide dog to support the Guide Dogs Puppy Appeal? 👉 bit.ly/3XJwq6m [Image Description: Buttons is a golden retriever/Labrador, sat down on white blanket, with navy, white and gold presents in the background] #GuideDogsUK #SponsorAPuppy #ChristmasGift

Let’s give a round of a 'paws' to our incredible volunteer fundraisers and donate an hour supporters who have helped support this year’s Guide Dogs Puppy Appeal.👏🏻 By co-ordinating collections and events in their area, our volunteer fundraisers have lent a hand to supporters who donated an hour of their time, ensuring that every hour they gave was life-changing. 💙 Without our volunteer fundraisers and donate an hour supporters, we couldn’t have helped our puppies to become life-changing guide dogs, giving freedom and independence to people living with sight loss.🦮 [Visual description: Four images of fundraising volunteers pictured outside a Town Hall, shopping centre and also inside of shops wearing Guide Dogs branded clothing whilst holding collection buckets and guide dogs.]