'˜Wonderful' night of celebration for Guide Dogs

A four-course black-tie dinner was held to celebrate 60 years of the Guide Dogs charity on the Fylde coast.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Mar 2017, 16:32 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 11:02 BST
Sue Ballantyne, Barbara Clarkson, Marj Boyer, Andy Guiel and Cheryl Johnson, with guide dogs Bamber, Fliss and ThelmaSue Ballantyne, Barbara Clarkson, Marj Boyer, Andy Guiel and Cheryl Johnson, with guide dogs Bamber, Fliss and Thelma
Sue Ballantyne, Barbara Clarkson, Marj Boyer, Andy Guiel and Cheryl Johnson, with guide dogs Bamber, Fliss and Thelma

The diamond anniversary event was attended by more than 70 people, at the Cliffs Hotel, Blackpool.

Along with a raffle, there was entertainment from Colin Glover, on sax and Alvar Marsden on the keyboard. Guests included Fylde Coast Guide Dogs ambassador Hayley Kay, of Radio Wave, civic dignitaries, national representatives from Guide Dogs, local volunteers, supporters and those who worked tirelessly over the years to help Fylde Coast Guide Dogs grow.

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The Fylde coast branch of the charity, supporting the training of guide dogs for the blind and partially-sighted, started off as several smaller branches – including Fleetwood, St Annes and Poulton, as well as Blackpool, which later all joined together.

Brenda Wildish, John Child and Stephanie SmithBrenda Wildish, John Child and Stephanie Smith
Brenda Wildish, John Child and Stephanie Smith

Brenda Wildish, of Fylde Coast Guide Dogs, said: “It was a wonderful evening. We stand on the shoulders of giants today, with all the hard work done over the years. The lifetime cost of a guide dog is £55,000. Guide Dogs receives no funding from Government. The people of the Fylde coast have always been incredibly generous and given great support throughout the years.”

Read about what a difference guide dogs make to people’s lives

Related topics:FyldeBlackpoolGovernment