Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My name is Anica and I am fundraising for Guide Dogs via the Partnership scheme. My goal is to raise as much money for Guide Dogs as possible. Through two previous campaigns, I have already raised £12,500. I'm currently waiting to be matched with my second guide dog. I'm registered blind due to a genetic degenerative condition of the retina.

I fundraise in honour of my first partnership with my now retired guide dog Lassie. Lassie was my first guide dog who retired in December 2023. She worked for about 8.5 years and changed my life completely. She gave me back confidence and independence. We went on many adventures together, travelled to lots of countries and just had a great time together. Lassie has saved me from being run over by an electric car twice and got me out of a couple of challenging situation with an ever-wagging tale.

Lassie and I were name "Guide Dogs Partnership of the Year 2023" and Lassie became runner-up in the "Hero Dog of the Year" Category. For us, this was a great end to our working partnership. Lassie was rehomed an now lives with a great family in Wales. She has two doggy sisters and as her new humans are fostered for Guide Dogs, she often gets to be a foster mum to guide dog puppies.

I've been a fundraiser for Guide Dogs since 2019, both with my local fundraising group and on my own. I want to pay it back and forward to this amazing organisation.

Lassie was such an amazing guide. I want to give other blind and partially blind people the opportunity to have their very own life-changing Lassie. I also want to honour my Lassie.

Finally, a couple of words about myself. When I am not fundraising for Guide Dogs or giving speaking engagements for them, I am a university professor. I focus my research on disability inclusion in organisations. I'm also a foodie, a mum of two, passioante traveller, and love elephants and listening to Ed Sheeran's music.

Please support with anything you can. There are hundreds of people waiting for their first dog or waiting to have a new dog after their previous guide dog retired. Help everyone gain or regain as much independence as I did due to Lassie and which I will have again once I get my next guide dog.

If you want to know what Lassie is up to, simply follow her on Instagram (@LassieGD) . If you would like to read my farewell letter to Lassie, simply go on: https://drdiary.blog/2023/12/14/a-letter-to-my-retiring-guide-dog-lassie/

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