Locals doing their bit for annual Red Puppy Appeal

Volunteers will be shaking red buckets for donations throughout the country on March 27 and 28 for the annual Red Puppy Appeal.

In Stratford, Gene and Narelle Gibson will be among the volunteers out and about in Stratford on Friday and Saturday.

Gene, who suffers from tunnel vision and night blindness, is the president of the Stratford committee of the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind (RNZFB). He says he, his wife Narelle and guide dog Opo will be "doing their bit" and asking people to donate.

The annual appeal raises funds for the breeding and training of guide dogs. Blind Foundation spokesperson, Alison Wheatley, says guide dog puppies go through two years of rigorous training before they graduate. Once assigned, their working life averages between eight and 10 years. "We don't charge people to receive a guide dog, all the costs for breeding and training are met by public donations. That's why the Red Puppy Appeal is so important."

Gene says having a guide dog opens up a whole new world of freedom for those with impaired sight. "I am able to go about my daily routine, including heading up into town, without having to rely on others for help. I just tell Opo where I want to go and we head off."

Gene says the RNZFB train up to 50 guide dogs a year, to help their owners around hazards, negotiate traffic and locate common destinations. "While it seems like a lot of money, to a person who needs a guide dog, it is worth every cent."

Last year's Red Puppy Appeal raised over $60, 000, nationally says Gene, "and we hope to do that again this year with the support of the Stratford community".

Volunteers will be around Stratford on March 27 and 28 for the Red Puppy Appeal but if you miss them check out www.blindfoundation.org.nz/support-us/red-puppy