The football season is not over yet! Here at Guide Dogs we are excited to announce to all you footie fans that the 2010 IBSA Blind Football Championship is being held in the UK for the first time in the competition’s history at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford this summer.
This thrilling event will showcase the very best blind and visually impaired footballers from across the globe as they compete to be the winning team. It is held every two years, with the European Championships and World Games also held on a two year cycle. The team is also eligible to compete in the Paralympics every four years, subject to qualification.
Blind football is generally played indoors on a solid surface with a football containing bearings so that it makes a noise when it moves. Each team will have five players. Goalkeepers are sighted, but cannot leave their area. In blind football, there are no offside rules!
This year the organisers have announced that they will be offering blind and visually impaired visitors the opportunity to use an audio commentary system to follow the games.
The event will also act as a direct qualifier for the Paralympics in London 2012. England’s first match kicks off on the 14th August.
We are so excited this week to be able to share with you all the most amazing letter, sent in from a new guide dog owner. Please read on for an exclusive excerpt of this heartwarming note…
My life has already changed for the better – I had forgotten just how much I have been missing. I cannot wait to get up and out – I even went to the supermarket yesterday for the first time in nearly three years, just me and my guide dog, Quinn. Well, I have to dash now; just going to Tesco (Quinn’s favourite haunt!) but thanks a million.
Lots of love,
The happiest lady in the land xxxxx
Guide Dogs purpose is to deliver the guide dog service and other mobility services, as well as breaking down barriers to enable blind and partially sighted people to get around on their own. I think everyone would agree that this lovely letter highlights the difference these amazing partnerships have on somebody’s life. This service would not be possible without all our wonderful supporters – Thank You!
Whilst digging for news this week, we can report that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a miniature telescope that is implanted into the eye to help correct visual impairment.
This is primarily aimed at people with an irreversible, advanced form of macular degeneration in which a blind spot develops in the central vision of both eyes. The telescope would replace the eye’s nature lens and provide an image magnified by almost three times and project it onto a healthy portion of the retina.
Currently VisonCare, the firm behind the telescope, claim that it will help patients suffering from end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) It is therefore intended for patients 75 and older with severe vision impairment caused by blind spots and it can only be used in one eye as the other is needed for peripheral vision. The FDA have highlighted that the telescope’s size might mean that patients will also need a corneal transplant after the operation.
Clinical tests have found that 75% saw an improvement in their eyesight. A further two studies are to be conducted; following up on existing patients and commencing an additional study of 770 new patients.
A core part of Guide Dogs is to educate the public about eye care and fund eye disease research. Our extensive Ophthalmic Research Programme plays a key part in delivering our aims, by providing evidence on which we build our policies, campaigns and the services we provide.
The early part of this month saw more than £12,000 raised for Guide Dogs in London Docklands when participants were rescued from the Thames by 14-stone Newfoundland dogs!
Jumping to the challenge was a mixture of volunteers, business men from the surrounding companies, Thames Division police officers and Guide Dogs staff. There were also some keen Newfoundland dog fans that came along to jump. Those who braved the Thames waters ranged from age 15 to in their 60s.
The Newfoundland rescue dogs had their paws at the ready as ‘volunteers’ threw themselves into the water to experience the life-saving qualities of these exceptional canines.
Guide Dogs disabled office volunteer Danny Day who is a wheelchair user said: “Jumping into the River Thames made feel that I wasn’t disabled anymore! It made me feel that I was part of the team or someone able-bodied. I can’t really describe it, and it was unbelievable, exciting, and brilliant and if it wasn’t for me volunteering at Guide Dogs then I would never have had the chance to do something like this and I thank everyone at Guide Dogs for giving me the chance. What a brilliant organisation to be a part of. “
Remember guide dog Moss? We are excited to announce that Moss and two other “top dogs” have been chosen as category winners for the first judging stage in this year’s Guide Dog of the Year awards.
Moss has won the “Life changing” category, having learned 20 routes in six months to enable owner Dawn Sergeant to gain back her independence and return to work.
“Outstanding work” category winner Gus, is owned by student Jemma Brown. Gus and Jemma share an active lifestyle crammed full of lectures, touring with Jemma’s cricket team and shopping!
Guide dog Gino is “top dog” in the “beyond the call of duty” section. Gino, owned by Maxine Ingram, barked to warn bus passengers that a man on board was going to have a fit thus ensuring that first aid treatment was quickly given.
Readers of Woman’s Weekly and Guide Dogs Chief Executive Richard Leaman, will now have the tough challenge of choosing which of the deserving three will be crowned Guide Dog of the Year 2010.
We are absolutely delighted to announce the news that intrepid trekkers ScottCunningham and his guide dog Travis have won the Institute of Fundraising National Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year Award – 2010. This is in recognition of their tremendous work with Travis Trek.
Travis Trek was started in 2003 by Scott when his guide dog Travis became the first guide dog to trek the West Highland Way. They have now raised an exceptional sum of over £100,000 for Guide Dogs through six mammoth treks – the Travis Treks.
The 2010 Travis Trek – “The Legends Return 2010” saw the dynamic duo, from Larkhall in South Lanarkshire, return to the West Highland Way. They trekked from south to north between the 28th March and 3rd April 2010, starting at Milngavie for seven days through the Scottish Highlands to Fort William.
Scott said: “With £85,000 raised from my previous treks, our aim this year was always to break the £100,000 barrier – and we achieved it! When we started I never dreamed we could raise so much for Guide Dogs. But over 500 miles later, averaging 100 miles a trek, we reached this fundraising landmark, and in doing so, showed the world how remarkable the partnership is between guide dog and owner.”
“I am absolutely delighted to receive the Institute of Fundraising Award. It had already been a great honour to even be short-listed for it. I told everyone that I dedicated the award to Guide Dogs for all the help that the charity had given me since I lost my sight. Travis really enjoyed the evening too and was especially dressed up for the evening in his smart dickie-bow.”
Julie Millar from Guide Dogs’ Scottish fundraising team said: “We are so proud and grateful to Scott and Travis for their incredible support. If anyone deserves national recognition for dedicated charity fundraising over a number of years, it’s Scott.”
Scott and Travis are a perfect example of an amazing partnership and are an inspiration to all. Congratulations Scott and Travis.
The BBC aired a moving documentary on the 5th anniversary of the July 2005 London bombings. Meet an amazing partnership of Mike and his guide dog Tom, who helped his owner find refuge during this frightening time.
Five years ago guide dog Tom led Mike to safety amongst the terror and chaos of the July 7th Tavistock Square bombing. Since that day Tom has continued to play a vital part in Mike’s life and these two best friends have enjoyed many more adventures together.
Their story is truly exceptional, that’s why the two of them often receive messages of goodwill from supporters who have been moved by their tale. Now is your chance to send Mike and Tom your very own message. Your message may also appear in the celebration booklet Mike’s putting together about Tom’s life.
Guide Dog volunteers and staff from the North East have just hosted the first Get Dialling Day as part of Get together – the great new fundraising initiative from Guide Dogs to raise money to help blind and partially-sighted people.
Staff, volunteers (and dogs!) dedicated their day to contacting local businesses to enquire if they would like to provide a home to one of Guide Dogs brand new collection boxes. Over 60 boxes were placed thanks to the support of the businesses in the local community.
Guide Dogs hope to host more Get Dialling days across the UK in order to expand the search to find homes for these collection boxes, helping to raise money to fund their expanding services. These include the provision of guide dogs to blind and partially sighted children and young people.
Sal Chapman, Regional Development Fundraiser: North said
“We’d like to thank the local community for their support. We simply could not provide our vital services without their generosity. Every penny placed in one of our counter top collecting boxes helps us to bring freedom, and independence to the visually impaired through the provision of our vital services.”
If you are able to give a home to one of our collection boxes or if you could spare a few hours to take part in one of future Guide Dogs Get Dialling days please contact your local fundraising office.
Guide Dogs have launched an incredible new film titled ‘Amazing Journeys’ to help us inspire existing and new Guide Dogs supporters. We are delighted to be able to a share an exclusive preview!
The film vividly highlights the importance of the work that we do to help create a society in which blind and partially-sighted people enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else.
The purpose of the film is to inform the viewer about the life-changing partnership between a guide dog and their owner, and the time, money and people that make this possible.
To bring this story to life, the film follows the experience of first-time guide dog owner Ian. His journey to independence is interspersed with the stories of other remarkable guide dog owners – each showing how their own lives have been transformed by Guide Dogs.
There has been exciting progress in the world of vehicle adaptability this week. US Scientists and the National Federation of the Blind are developing a car for use by blind and partially sighted people.
The vehicle will be fitted with technology that allows a person to drive independently, according to the NFB and Virginia Tech University. The prototype is expected be publicly tested in January 2011 by a blind driver on the Daytona race track in Florida.
Sensors indicating turns in the road via vibrating gloves and puffs of compressed air on the face will alert the driver to obstacles. Other non-visual aids include a vibrating vest to give feedback on speed and a steering wheel with audio cues and spoken commands indicating the car’s direction.
The University have created similar vehicles in the past. In 2009 they turned a beach buggy into an experimental carriage for blind drivers. They used sensor lasers and cameras to act as the eyes of the buggy.
“We’re moving away from the theory that blindness ends the capacity of human beings to make contributions to society”
Marc Maurer NFB president
Guide Dogs wants a society in which blind and partially-sighted people enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else and progress like this is important to help achieve this.
Guide Dogs is a working name of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (291646) and a charity registered in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979).
The football season is not over yet! Here at Guide Dogs we are excited to announce to all you footie fans that the 2010 IBSA Blind Football Championship is being held in the UK for the first time in the competition’s history at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford this summer.
We are so excited this week to be able to share with you all the most amazing letter, sent in from a new guide dog owner. Please read on for an exclusive excerpt of this 
The early part of this month saw more than £12,000 raised for Guide Dogs in London Docklands when participants were rescued from the Thames by 14-stone Newfoundland dogs!
ber guide dog 
We are absolutely delighted to announce the news that intrepid trekkers Scott Cunningham and his guide dog Travis have won the Institute of Fundraising National Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year Award – 2010. This is in recognition of their tremendous work with Travis Trek.
The BBC aired a moving documentary on the 5th anniversary of the July 2005 London bombings. Meet an amazing partnership of Mike and his guide dog Tom, who helped his owner find refuge during this frightening time.
Guide Dog volunteers and staff from the North East have just hosted the first Get Dialling Day as part of Get together – the great new fundraising initiative from Guide Dogs to raise money to help blind and partially-sighted people.
The film vividly highlights the importance of the work that we do to help create a society in which blind and partially-sighted people enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else.
There has been exciting progress in the world of vehicle adaptability this week. US Scientists and the National Federation of the Blind are developing a car for use by blind and partially sighted people.
