A PERFECT Christmas present to end a fantastic year.That was the reward for puppy walker Penny Parker as she was honoured for all her work for looking after loveable guide dog puppy Star - the subject of this year's Evening Star Christmas appeal.

A PERFECT Christmas present to end a fantastic year.

That was the reward for puppy walker Penny Parker as she was honoured for all her work for looking after loveable guide dog puppy Star - the subject of this year's Evening Star Christmas appeal.

The appeal has so far raised a staggering £14,000 - enough to pay not just for Star's breeding and training, but also for a new puppy called Hope, which will be born next year. Both will go on to become the eyes for a blind or a visually-impaired person.

To mark Penny's part in the appeal and say thank you for the amazing work she does the Evening Star purchased a painting of Star which was then presented to her by its creator, artist Sandra Pond.

Star editor Nigel Pickover said: “It is a beautiful painting and we felt Penny should have it - when the time comes for Star to leave and move on to the next stage of her training, Penny will always have this lovely picture to remind her of the puppy.

“Penny has been utterly amazing in her work for the appeal and for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

“She is involved in so much community work and I really don't know where she gets all her energy!”

Artist and illustrator Sandra, from Coddenham, painted the watercolour on Schoellershamer 4R paper using kolinski sable brushes and Windsor and Newton artists watercolour paints.

Her picture shows Star sitting on a Hollywood-style star.

“I just thought it would be a bit quirky and there is this nice connection between the star and the puppy's name and the newspaper,” she said.

Has your family been helped by the Guide Dogs - tell us your stories about this amazing charity: write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk

HOW TO GET INVOLVED . . .

The fundraising for the vital work of Guide Dogs continues - as we aim to raise as much as possible for the charity's work.

We want the whole community to get involved and if you are organising a fundraising event for the appeal, then we want to hear so we can give it maximum publicity and help boost the amount raised.

So let us know what you are up to - get in touch with Richard Cornwell at the Felixstowe Newsdesk on 01394 284109 or the Ipswich Newsdesk on 01473 324788.

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