I ran the London #Marathon and raised £2275 for #GuideDogs for the Blind (a UK charity)!..

This was my second marathon, after a six year break of barely any running. Training started from the beginning, back in August last year. It was a hot day and I didn't really know what to do with the heat after training all winter. That was hard. The last mile, just wanting to stop but being determined to run the whole distance was also hard.

But the crowd on the day was sublime, so energetic and enthusiastic and it really kept me going and made it a fantastic experience. There were around 60,000 runners. It's a huge event.

Overall it feels like one of the best things I have ever done. Nobody asked me to do this, there was no necessity. I wanted to run London someday and I wanted to raise some money for this charity and for once in my life I got off my butt and did the thing.

Our plush guide dog drawing is back! This year, GDUI is holding a drawing for 3 plush pups fitted out with handmade harnesses. Meet the pups and purchase the chance to welcome one or more of them into your family here. https://guidedogusersinc.org/gdui-2025-drawing-for-3-plush-pups-in-harness/
#guidedog #guidedogs #blindness #blind #lowvision #visuallyimpaired

📍: Bridge, West India Quay Footbridge
ℹ️: towpath bridge
🗺: https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=51.5066165064596&mlon=-0.022492728465907#map=17/51.5066165064596/-0.022492728465907
📸: Photo by Loz Flowers on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/99245765@N00/54261090872

#canal #narrowboat #england #uk #flickr #london #pawsonthewharf #canarywharf #guidedogs #publicsculpture #westindiaquay #glenbrooks

🦮 What if your guide dog could tell you why it stopped?

AI vision systems are helping guide dogs provide real-time context to blind users—like a voice saying: “Obstacle ahead: trash bin.”

It’s the future of assistive tech—and it’s happening now.

Would you trust a dog + AI system to guide you safely?

🧠 Read more: https://blueheadline.com/tech-breakthroughs/ai-vision-guide-dogs-for-blind/

#Technology #AssistiveTech #AI #BlueHeadline #Inclusion #GuideDogs #TechForGood #SmartTeaming #HumanAI #Accessibility

To mark International Guide Dog Day (30 April), South Western #Railway has launched personalised “Assistance Reservation Cards” to help assistance dogs ‘reserve’ a seat and inform passengers not to distract them. The cards display key messages such as: please don’t pet me without permission, I’m working when in harness, and give me space to help my owner. Backed by #GuideDogs #UK, the initiative reminds the public that guide dogs are not pets but working animals, and uninvited interaction can be dangerous. Tips for travellers include letting guide dog users board first, keeping aisles clear, avoiding loud noises or food near the dog, and speaking to the owner, not the dog. Guide dog user Pete Bungay shared how small acts of awareness, especially from rail staff, have helped him travel independently, while SWR’s Michael Adlington reinforced the company’s commitment to #accessibility and the safety of all passengers.
https://www.southwesternrailway.com/other/news-and-media/news/2025/april/paws-for-thought

Blind woman credits guide dog for confidence to complete football club’s circuit training

A guide dog can change your life in so many ways! Izzy James of Swansea credits labradoodle, Souly for giving her the confidence to get active, lose weight and gain fitness.

She is the first blind person to complete Fit Jacks, a 12-week programme of circuit training run Swansea City Football Academy.

Izzy told us: “The training sessions are aimed at people over 35 and consist of circuit training. Being blind and having no vision, I found this prospect very daunting but wanted to make a positive change in my health and fitness.

“Fit Jacks have been so inclusive in enabling a blind person to participate in the programme. They have provided one-to-one support to enable me to access all the activities, with verbal information and hands-on demonstrations when required.

“They also provided a classroom-based exercise to learn about nutrition and, although the booklet was not provided in an accessible format, the people running the group ensured that they read out the relevant information when needed so I could fully engage in the conversations.”

Izzy gets to and from sessions with the help of guide dog Souly, who sits quietly on his blanket while she works out. “I never thought I’d be able to do circuit training but I’ve lost two stones in weight. Souly’s not only given me my independence, he’s also created a new-found confidence I never had before.”

#blind #CircuitTraining #FitJacks #Fitness #GuideDogs #Swansea #SwanseaCityFootballAcademy

After recovering from medical stuff, I now (this friday) made the call to make sure I was active on the list to get a guide dog.
I was told I was, and was actually, more or less, always mentioned when they had a new dog, to see if I would be a good fit or not.
Finally things seems to be aligned, I have my ducks in a row, and I'm ready for this!!!

(yay combination of being a city dweller and a first time guide dog handler, made it more difficult to find the perfect match, they said).

I hope I get the call soon.
I mean lol, the sleep problems because of nervousness has already started.

Feel free to respond with any thoughts and/or comments.

#guidedog #guidedogs #blind

En el paseo perruno de la tarde, con mi pequeño gran Vikingo. Justo al ladito de casa tenemos esta belleza de narcisos. Me encantan, y me encanta su aroma.#DogsOfMastodon, #Dogstodon, #GuideDogs, #Daffodils, #Blooming, #SpringinIreland

Swansea supermarket workers raise £5,500 for guide dog charity

After a year of dedicated fundraising efforts both in-store and within the local community, staff at the Llansamlet Tesco store proudly presented a giant cheque to the charity on Sunday.

The charity is close to the hearts of many at the store, with several colleagues having a personal connection with guide dogs and the training of guide dog puppies. The amount raised also meant staff had the opportunity to name two dogs currently completing their guide dog training, with the names ‘Teddy’ and ‘Wyn’ being chosen.

Ryan Pontefract, Tesco’s Llansamlet store Community Champion, said, “We raised £5,500 over the course of 2024 through collections in store and other events like tombolas and car boot sales.

“One of the biggest reasons we decided to raise money for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is that I have an eye condition that could eventually lead me to becoming partially sighted or fully blind. We also decided to name one of the dogs Wyn as one our shift leaders’ grandmothers is a former guide dog trainer.”

Ruth Evans, Community Fundraising Relationship Manager for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, said: “The staff at Tesco in Llansamlet have done incredibly well to raise £5,500. This amazing amount is enough to cover six birthing kits for a guide dog mum, 40 starter kits for a new guide dog partnership or 110 visits to the vet for a guide dog check-up.

“Our volunteers enjoy coming along to bucket collections in the store and shoppers love meeting our dogs and puppies. They always make time for a chat and give so generously. This money will ensure that we can continue to change the lives of people with sight loss in the Swansea area.”

(Lead image: Tesco)

#Charity #GuideDogs #Llansamlet #Swansea #Tesco

I'm running the 26.2 mile #LondonMarathon in April to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind (UK).

When I started training in July I hadn't run at all for a year. Now I have managed 17 miles. Progress. #GuideDogs have asked me to raise £2000 and I am getting there.

Running the marathon will burn about 3,500 calories, and I am already feeling the hunger from training!

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ben-bradley-guide-dogs-london-marathon-2025

For all those with service animals using ride sharing, would you use the new feature to let your driver know? Do you think this will help?
https://buff.ly/4aOXXI5

#Accessibility #A11y #ServiceAnimal #GuideDogs

Another salient lesson for the boards of #charity and #NGO non-profits.

The lazy habit of employing politically connected, wealthy 'donor whisperers' in leadership roles inevitably leads to failure. To the point where it becomes counter-productive to not just fund raising, but the mission itself. Guide Dogs Victoria is a great example of what happens when a charity becomes captured by wealthy 'conservatives', overcome by their own hubris.

Just because people went to expensive schools and are rich, does NOT make them effective leaders, especially in sectors which exist specifically to mitigate the damage and inequality caused by their class.

"More than two-and-a-half years after the charity was thrust into the biggest scandal of its 65-year history, Guide Dogs Victoria has finally lifted its silence over the affair.

The impact of the Frydenberg affair was “huge” and far-reaching, Guide Dogs Victoria chief executive Nicky Long has told The Klaxon, in an exclusive and wide-ranging interview.

“The impact on the organisation has been huge,” Long said.

“I don’t think there’s anyone internally or even at a volunteer level that didn’t feel the ripple effects of what occurred”."

#auspol #guidedogs #notforprofit

https://theklaxon.com.au/frydenberg-impact-huge-guide-dogs-victoria-finally-breaks-silence/

One look at the UK Guide Dogs charity website 🐕‍🦺💻 shows why they won’t be fundraising for high-tech mobility devices anytime soon. Adorable puppies are a *huge* money-maker 🐶💰, and their focus is clear: dogs, dogs, and more dogs!

#GuideDogs #PuppyPower #AccessibilityMatters #Blind #CharityFunding #AssistiveTechnology #MobilityAidGaps

Thanks to the massive fundraising efforts by the guide dogs charity 🐕‍🦺💰, blind people in the UK can have guide dogs free of charge 🐾. However, other high-tech, less adorable mobility devices 👩‍💻🚶‍♂️ must be funded by individuals.

Luckily, many with severe sight loss qualify for government support through the mobility component of Personal Independence Payments 💳👩‍⚖️. This gives them the spending power they need for what are often expensive mobility devices.

Meanwhile, guide dog owners can use their PIP for things like cleaners 🧹, food delivery services 🍱, paying for ironing 👔, or even hiring a travel companion for holidays ✈️🌴.

#Accessibility #GuideDogs #AssistiveTechnology #Blind #PIPSupport #IndependenceThroughMobility #Disability

In the UK, £40 million is spent each year on fundraising by the guide dogs charity 🐕‍🦺💷. This is £10,000 per dog 🐾. There are around 4,000 working guide dogs 👀🐶.

#GuideDogs #Accessibility #Disability #Blind #UKCharity #AssistanceDogs #IndependenceThroughSupport

💡 Mobility solutions must prioritize **choice and equity** for blind and visually impaired people. 🦮🔗🤖

While guide dog programs receive ample funding and support, high-tech mobility devices risk being out of reach for many due to high costs. This creates a disparity where only the privileged can explore the full spectrum of mobility options.

📌 To address this, we need:
✔️ Public & private investments in tech to lower costs.
✔️ Broader insurance and assistance coverage for innovative devices.
✔️ Collaborative models bridging guide dogs & tech.
✔️ Policies ensuring equitable access for ALL tools.

True independence comes from empowering **everyone** with tools that suit their needs. Let’s level the playing field. 🌍💪

#Accessibility #AI #Blind #Disability #GuideDogs #TechForGood #MobilityMatters #InclusionMatters #AssistiveTech

📊 Did you know? Less than 2% of blind people use guide dogs. The majority find other mobility tools better suited to their needs. Let’s talk about *all* the options. 🦯💡
#DisabilityStats #Blind #Accessibility #Inclusion #GuideDogs

📊 Did you know? Less than 2% of blind people use guide dogs. The majority find other mobility tools better suited to their needs. Let’s talk about *all* the options. 🦯💡
#DisabilityStats #Blind #Accessibility #Inclusion #GuideDogs

🐕‍🦺 Guide dogs require time, money, and commitment. For many, a cane or tech provides better independence without the upkeep. Choices matter! 💼
#DisabilityAwareness #Blind #Accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #GuideDogs

**The Future of Mobility: Glide, Guide Dogs, and the Question of Choice**

As technology advances, questions arise about how new innovations like Glide might reshape traditional solutions such as guide dogs. If Glide proves as effective as a guide dog in navigation and mobility, could society decide the massive cost of maintaining guide dogs is no longer justified? While this scenario might seem logical on paper, it introduces a complex mix of ethical, practical, and financial considerations.

### Ethical and Social Considerations

Guide dogs are more than mobility aids. They are companions, confidants, and symbols of independence for many blind people. Forcing a shift to technology alone would overlook the emotional bond and trust that a living animal provides. This raises an important question: would blind people who still prefer guide dogs face societal pressure to "settle" for a pet dog instead? The emotional significance of guide dogs must be acknowledged and respected.
Moreover, guide dogs play a cultural role in how blindness is perceived. Their presence in public settings symbolizes independence and confidence. Phasing them out entirely might unintentionally alter how disability is viewed and supported. Choice is crucial. Society should aim to expand options, not restrict them. Glide’s arrival should be about complementing existing aids, not replacing them wholesale.

### Practical Challenges

While Glide holds promise, it’s unlikely to replicate every function of a guide dog at first. Emotional support is irreplaceable, and some individuals may feel more secure with a living companion. Additionally, complex navigation scenarios—such as crowded train platforms or unpredictable outdoor environments—might still favour a guide dog over technology in the early years.
For Glide to justify a significant societal shift, it must not only match but exceed the reliability and versatility of guide dogs. It also needs to be affordable, widely available, and supported by robust infrastructure. Accessibility is key; society must ensure Glide is as universally viable as traditional solutions.

### Financial Realities

Guide dogs cost about £30,000 per year per working dog, amounting to £120 million annually in the UK for 4,000 dogs. While this investment transforms a relative handful of lives, it’s clear that not all blind people can access or afford a guide dog. Glide could offer a scalable, cost-effective solution, making advanced mobility aids more widely available.
However, transitioning entirely to technology comes with upfront costs, including research, production, and training. Reallocating funds away from guide dogs could alienate those who depend on them, making it essential to strike a balance. Glide’s success should not come at the expense of the emotional and practical needs of existing guide dog users.

### Preserving Choice

The future of mobility should focus on providing blind people with a "toolbox" of options: cane, guide dog, or Glide. Each person’s needs, preferences, and circumstances are unique, and society must ensure that no one feels forced to compromise their independence or well-being.
This isn’t about replacing tradition with technology but about broadening horizons. Glide could revolutionize mobility, but its true success will lie in complementing—not eliminating—the trusted solutions that have empowered blind people for decades. Let’s embrace evolution, not impose it.

#Accessibility #AI #Blind #Disability #Glide #Glidance #GuideDogs