As with all charities, Guide Dogs has been hard hit by Covid-19 after all live fundraising events have been cancelled or postponed for over a year, while many service users and volunteers remain vulnerable. However, every day 250 people still began to lose their sight – equating to one person every 6 minutes, of any age and from any walk of life. Guide Dogs aim to be there for each of them to help them to live the full, independent life of their choice by providing services such as long-cane training, technology training, My Sighted Guide, Buddy Dogs and of course, highly trained Guide Dogs. The challenges for the charity have remained the same, but the income has fallen dramatically.
The popular annual Glo’-Walkies challenge to sponsor your dog to raise necessary vital funds on the Fylde Coast, again can’t be held over one day as it used to be, though in 2020 it did go ahead, albeit in a very different and safe way. This year the event will run from 1st to 31st October – meaning you can choose your time and weather!!