SUFFOLK: Guide dog puppy Faith has inspired students at Otley College to try to raise �5,000 to help with the cost of training another dog for the charity's work.

Richard Cornwell

SUFFOLK: Guide dog puppy Faith has inspired students at Otley College to try to raise �5,000 to help with the cost of training another dog for the charity's work.

Animal learners at the campus joined The Evening Star's fundraising appeal for Guide Dogs' work with blind and partially-sighted people and collected �250 from owners whose mutts received a makeover at the college's newly-opened dog grooming parlour.

Section leader for animal studies, Rob Bamford, said: “We had a chat with our staff and students and it was clear that they were enthused by the Evening Star's campaign.

“Therefore, inspired by the paper, we decided we would like to try and raise around �5,000 for Guide Dogs over the next 12 months to help with the costs of training a puppy.”

Accompanied by her puppy walker Penny Parker, from the East and Mid Suffolk fundraising group of the Guide Dogs, Faith visited the students to collect the cash they had raised.

Faith is now 12 weeks old and the charity is pleased with her progress - she is described as a bold, strong-minded and sociable pup who already has a good grasp of the basic commands.

“Faith is also an excitable dog and has enjoyed the winter weather and walking in the snow,” said Catherine Green, the charity's name-a-puppy co-ordinator.

“She has been a busy puppy, as further to her training she went to see her local Christmas lights being switched on and attended the Evening Star's Stars of Suffolk launch.

“Being exposed to these busy and noisy environments is an important aspect of her training.”

Have you benefitted from a guide dog? Tell us your story. Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

GUIDE DOGS: How to get involved

Puppy Faith is the latest guide dog the Evening Star is supporting - and the charity constantly needs money for its work.

If you are doing fundraising for the charity, then get in touch with Richard Cornwell at the Felixstowe Newsdesk on 01394 284109 so we can help you publicise your event.

To donate, please send cheques - made payable to the Guide Dogs - to Richard Cornwell, Evening Star, 172 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7DU.