Last year we set up this fundraiser to celebrate Rishtons well earned retirement for us to raise some money and have some fun in the lead up and we did!

What nobody expected was it to become ‘in memory of’ just 6 weeks after he retired.

Though short he did still thoroughly enjoy the retirement he had, big snoozing, beach swims, friends and he even climbed a mountain (that one in wales, depending on who you ask it might be a really big hill).

Fun can continue, it just looks a bit different now he’s not here to show you all his appreciation with his big noggin fusses.

In our 8 years Rishton and I have done countless things together, we’ve been to Parliament to campaign for change, airports to support better access and assistance for people travelling with or without their guide/assistance dogs, schools, youth groups, universities, hospitals and nursing homes to name just a few of the strings to his bow.

Rishtons been with me in some of the very best times of my life and naturally some of the worst and always with a big ole noggin to shove in your face and a whole body wiggle, stranger danger missed this one, every person or in some cases statues were a new opportunity to make a new bestie.

One of our most favourite things to do together is to go out and do some fundraising with our friends to tell people just how truly incredible he and all of his friends are.

Hadley & Eaton

You’ll agree, two more exceptionally handsome chaps who were both very much part of our Guide Dogs family for many years.

Hadley - Hadley had three Guide Dog partnerships during his short life. Sadly, none of them were meant to be but he continued his career by working as a … dog raising awareness in the community and sharing his gentle cuddles. He was a gentle soul and he brought much joy to older family members when visiting them in nursing homes. He loved the beach and the snow, not necessarily at the same time and like our all our dogs, brought huge comfort during the hardest times and laughter during the happiest. He loved his space hopper, a pub trip, days out in Anglesey and definitely his snoozes. He would often sneak upstairs for a daytime nap on the bed. He had an excellent snore.

Eaton - Eaton didn’t quite make it as a guide dog but he still earned his keep with the fundraising group for over 10 years, helped us on campaign days collecting signatures and popping in at his local shops during ‘high street heroes’ to show people just how wonderful our dogs are, even the ones that didn’t quite make it, I think he might’ve partly been in it for the snacks but aren’t we all? He marched with us at some of the soggiest Pride marches, wearing his bandana with pride. He loved a Rich Tea biscuit and could hear the peeling of a banana from a mile away. He also loved a bus journey and a trip to Waterstones always making his way to the cafe for some reason…

The Names

Riba (Ree-ba) - Rishton gaine many nicknames throughout his life but the most common were ‘Fish’ or ‘Fishy Rishy’, he loved the water whether it was for swimming, splashing, paddling or considering the sea a giant water bowl just for him.

Riba translates to ‘Fish’ in some Slavic languages.

Eadley - Eadley is a hybrid of Eaton and Hadley.

More about the charity:

Almost two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that has a significant impact on their daily lives. Of those, around 180,000 rarely leave their homes alone and lead lonely, isolated lives.

Guide Dogs works for a world where people with sight loss are never left out of life, for a world where being blind or partially sighted is not what defines you. A world with enough support to make the challenges of sight loss no barrier to fulfilling hopes and dreams.