Sponsored walk success

This was the fourth Guide Dogs For The Blind sponsored walk along the seafront but the first time the weather has been kind - rain chucked down on previous occasions and the temperatures were bitterly cold.

The Observer's own John Dowling, vice-chairman of the Bexhill Hastings and Rother fundraising branch, started the walk off and told participants that to supply one blind or partially sighted person with a guilde dog would cost up to one third of a million pounds over their lifetime, as he had learned from branch chairman Nigel Lockwood.

"That shows you how worthwhile is an event like this today," he said.

To train and sustain a guide dog, which usually works for approximately eight years, will cost approximately 36,000, including paying for food and vet bills. Their handlers can start at age 16, following training, and the oldest at present locally is 90plus.

Richard Spooner, from Terminus Avenue, took part in the walk with 10 year old German Shepherd Paddy.

Richard said: "For 25 years now I have had guide dogs - it makes a tremendous difference, because they give you independence, good mobility, they make you feel safe, and you get good companionship with a dog. Paddy is a good boy, I have had him since he was 18 months old as a fully trained guide dog, and he has been working with me for just over 8 years. They fit in totally with your life, they know everything about you, and are just connected to you."

Fundraising coordinator Mary Richardson said: "This walk has been organised by the Bexhill Hastings and Rother branch - we have a network of local fundraising branches, and they run a number of events throught the year which are both fundraising and also raising awareness of the charity within their local communities. The branch is entirely run by volunteers and Guide Dogs For The Blind is tremendously grateful for their committment and enthusiasm. If anybody is interested in joining the branch we always welcome new volunteers, and they can contact me on 07990 540267 or email [email protected]."

She added: "There is a lot of public support for Guide Dogs, and at the moment we are very fortunate to be getting a lot of television coverage because we have a puppy being walked by a Blue Peter presenter, which is raising the profile for a young audience.

"I think generally when I go round communities what I discover is support from the public for the work guide dogs do - people are incredibly amazed with the high level of training of the dogs, and how they really do transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people."