Alison Mead
Alison's RideLondon 2023 page
Fundraising for Guide Dogs
Story
Having lost my sight suddenly after suffering a brain haemorrhage and 4 strokes in 2005 I stopped going out unless a friend came to take me somewhere. I didn’t know how to find my way around alone anymore, being someone who also suffers from anxiety & depression I changed from a person who loved being outside to someone who was frightened to go out.
In 2010 following the death of Jessie, my pet dog, I contacted Guide Dogs. I was visited by one of their mobility instructors who taught me how to walk around the block, go to the shops and many things that were once daily events which I no longer had the confidence to do. I was then put on the waiting list and in 2012 was matched to my wonderful guide dog Ted. Guide dogs are not just a working dog to their owner, they are an incredible friend. Ted changed my life, helping me to get around safely and with so much more confidence. He was also an emotional support to me following surgery & treatment for breast cancer, a knee replacement & the death of my Mother who I was primary carer for. Thanks to Ted I met many new friends and those friends have also changed my life.
Ted retired in 2019 but remained my best friend & companion. I was devastated when in June 2022 Ted was diagnosed with cancer and the only kind thing for him was to let the vet end his suffering. Like before I struggle every day without Ted by my side.
Like many other visually impaired people, I am now on Guide Dogs waiting list hoping to be matched to a new guide dog. For me there will never be another Ted, but all of us on the list hope to someday be lucky enough to be matched to a dog who will change our lives.
The Covid19 pandemic halted Guide Dogs breeding programme. The training of dogs and visually impaired people were also affected, increasing the waiting list. Since restrictions were lifted the Guide Dogs charity are doing everything they can to breed & train more dogs, they are working hard to recruit more volunteers including the amazing Puppy Raisers & Fosterers and also to raise the much needed funds to continue all the incredible work they do.
The Guide Dogs organisation receive NO government funding. Without donations they simply wouldn’t be able to continue. That’s why they’re so incredibly grateful for every contribution made, however big or small it may be.
The lifetime cost of a guide dog is around £55,000
£8 could support a working guide dog partnership for a day.
£16 could buy a training coat for a guide dog puppy in training.
£26 could buy a white harness, the iconic symbol of a fully qualified guide dog.
£125 could pay for a complete starter kit for a newly qualified guide dog to start their new life with their visually impaired owner.
Please donate to our page if you can. Any amount will help greatly. It all adds up and will help the Guide Dog charity to breed and train more guide dogs who will go on to change the lives of visually impaired people in the same way that Ted changed my life.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. It's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
In 2010 following the death of Jessie, my pet dog, I contacted Guide Dogs. I was visited by one of their mobility instructors who taught me how to walk around the block, go to the shops and many things that were once daily events which I no longer had the confidence to do. I was then put on the waiting list and in 2012 was matched to my wonderful guide dog Ted. Guide dogs are not just a working dog to their owner, they are an incredible friend. Ted changed my life, helping me to get around safely and with so much more confidence. He was also an emotional support to me following surgery & treatment for breast cancer, a knee replacement & the death of my Mother who I was primary carer for. Thanks to Ted I met many new friends and those friends have also changed my life.
Ted retired in 2019 but remained my best friend & companion. I was devastated when in June 2022 Ted was diagnosed with cancer and the only kind thing for him was to let the vet end his suffering. Like before I struggle every day without Ted by my side.
Like many other visually impaired people, I am now on Guide Dogs waiting list hoping to be matched to a new guide dog. For me there will never be another Ted, but all of us on the list hope to someday be lucky enough to be matched to a dog who will change our lives.
The Covid19 pandemic halted Guide Dogs breeding programme. The training of dogs and visually impaired people were also affected, increasing the waiting list. Since restrictions were lifted the Guide Dogs charity are doing everything they can to breed & train more dogs, they are working hard to recruit more volunteers including the amazing Puppy Raisers & Fosterers and also to raise the much needed funds to continue all the incredible work they do.
The Guide Dogs organisation receive NO government funding. Without donations they simply wouldn’t be able to continue. That’s why they’re so incredibly grateful for every contribution made, however big or small it may be.
The lifetime cost of a guide dog is around £55,000
£8 could support a working guide dog partnership for a day.
£16 could buy a training coat for a guide dog puppy in training.
£26 could buy a white harness, the iconic symbol of a fully qualified guide dog.
£125 could pay for a complete starter kit for a newly qualified guide dog to start their new life with their visually impaired owner.
Please donate to our page if you can. Any amount will help greatly. It all adds up and will help the Guide Dog charity to breed and train more guide dogs who will go on to change the lives of visually impaired people in the same way that Ted changed my life.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. It's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.