GUIDE dog puppy Star enjoyed being groomed to mark the launch of a new project which will be raising money for the Evening Star Christmas appeal.

GUIDE dog puppy Star enjoyed being groomed to mark the launch of a new project which will be raising money for the Evening Star Christmas appeal.

Puppy walker Penny Parker took Star along to meet several other guide dogs, some working and some retired, for the grooming session at Otley College's new dog grooming parlour.

Organisers of the facility at the campus are donating £1 to the Star is Born appeal every time a dog is groomed.

“Our animal studies department felt inspired to do something for this fantastic Evening Star campaign,” said Clare Fisher from the animal studies department.

“Now that we have opened our new dog grooming parlour we are hoping that the local community will come and see us, so that we can make a decent contribution to the Star is Born campaign.”

The opening was one of many projects taking place at Otley as part of an inaugural event called Colleges Week.

The college has been hosting activities including a business employers forum called The Big Breakfast, a skills challenge involving the college's mechanical horse Madge, and a student competition aimed at raising money for Children in Need.

To find out more about the new dog grooming facility, please call 01473 784247.

Pennies for the puppy are starting to roll in - you can drop off your unwanted copper coins, one pence and two pence ones, at the Ipswich or Felixstowe Evening Star offices.

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 aim is to raise £10,000 to help with the cost of Star's training - and we want the whole community to get involved with the appeal.

Every penny and pound will count and ensure that the little puppy get the best care and training as she is prepared to do the job of guiding someone who lives every day of their lives with the blight of blindness.

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.