A Guide Dogs puppy raiser from Moneyreagh has been honoured at this year’s Guide Dogs Volunteer awards.
Kathryn Kerr won the newcomer category, and her nomination for the award referred to her ‘incredible dedication and passion in her first year as a puppy raiser’.
Kathryn has raised one future guide dog for the charity so far, Zeb, who is off to ‘big school’ in Forfar in Scotland to complete his training. Kathryn is currently raising a five month-old puppy, Glen.
Kathryn’s nomination noted: “Her fundraising efforts for example she raised over £1,000 for Zeb’s first birthday by hosting a coffee morning.
“She has also set up an Instagram account of Raising Zeb which is popular. Kathyrn’s advocacy and devotion to Guide Dogs make her a truly outstanding newcomer.”
The ceremony was held in the Long Gallery of Stormont Parliament Buildings with awards presented by Guide Dogs staff and the event sponsored and opened by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons who said: “I was pleased to attend the Guide Dog Volunteer Awards recently and to see for myself the difference that people continue to make to the lives of people with sight loss through volunteering, fundraising, donating, and campaigning. Events like the awards are important to recognise all volunteers and their combined efforts to make such a difference to each and every person with sight loss.”
Kathryn also assists at many fundraising events organised by local groups across Northern Ireland, who urgently need more volunteer fundraisers who can support their local events and help raise money for an important cause.
Guide Dogs, which recently celebrated 40 years since it opened a site in Northern Ireland, revealed it now costs £77,000 to breed, raise and train every guide dog pup to partnership, up from £34,600 in 2019, making the work of these fundraising groups more vital than ever.
For more information on how to join the Guide Dogs Fundraising Group in your area, contact Gary.Wilson@guidedogs.org.uk or visit guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer
