Guide Dog Appeal volunteers needed!

Wed, 23 Feb 2005

Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Media release 23 February 2005

Calling all paws! Guide Dog Appeal volunteers needed!

Put your best paw forward by donating a few hours of your time during the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's (RNZFB) annual Guide Dog Appeal, 8-10 April.

The RNZFB needs over 5,000 volunteers to help raise $800,000 for guide dogs and other essential services for blind and vision-impaired New Zealanders.

For this appeal to be a success we need all paws on deck,says Jeanette Manson, RNZFB Divisional Manager Fundraising.

Because Guide Dog Services receive no Government funding we rely on the generosity of the New Zealand public and the thousands of volunteers who give their time each year.

We are asking New Zealanders to lend a paw for around two to three hours to collect donations on the streets, in local malls, supermarkets and shopping centres.

A guide dog can assist a blind or vision-impaired person to get around more safely with greater speed and confidence.

Volunteers are needed throughout New Zealand as follows:

Auckland/Northland, 1500; Waikato, 450; Tauranga, 490; Hawkes Bay, 350; Wellington, 1100; Nelson, 400; Christchurch, 1000; Dunedin, 550.

To donate a few hours of your time between 8 and 10 April please phone 0800 DOG DAY (0800 364 329) to speak with your nearest RNZFB regional fundraising manager.

It costs around $22,500 to breed, train and match a guide dog with a blind or vision-impaired New Zealander.

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind is New Zealand's primary service provider for blind, vision impaired and deafblind people. Every year nearly 1500 New Zealanders either go blind or experience serious sight loss.

ENDS

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