A star is born - and we need your help

A STAR is born!Guaranteed to make everyone's hearts melt, this cuddly pup is destined for a special role in life - for she will be the eyes of a blind person.

Richard Cornwell

A STAR is born!

Guaranteed to make everyone's hearts melt, this cuddly pup is destined for a special role in life - for she will be the eyes of a blind person.

Today The Evening Star is joining that important work, teaming up with the Guide Dogs for the Blind charity and launching its Christmas appeal to raise the £10,000 needed to pay for the little dog's training.

And the appeal has got off to a great start - thanks to a generous £1,000 donation from the East of England Co-op to get the fundraising under way.

Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover today urged everyone to get behind the appeal and start organising events to help raise money for Star's training.

He said: “Star is here now and beginning the first stage of her training - and we have got to make sure that in 18 months' time she will be ready to go out to a blind person with all the love in the world and play the role for which she is destined.

“This is a great chance to make a real difference in someone's life.

“The Guide Dogs charity does fantastic work and we are fully behind them.

“More guide dogs are needed each year and they do amazing work and are really appreciated by those they are sent to help.

“They become a real friend and a comfort to a blind person, as well as helping them through their daily lives, giving them the ability to lead much fuller and independent lives.”

Mr Pickover thanked the Co-op for its support in kick-starting the appeal.