Little did they know three years ago in October in 2010 when Guide Dogs fundraiser Diana Mager contacted Kate Byrne from Just for Pets at their head office in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire to see if they could give a home to some new recruits in the form of our Life Sized Dog Collection boxes that they would end up raising so much money that they have recently named their third Guide Dog puppy and are well on the way to reaching the £5000 target for their fourth

The first dog was named Bentley, and recently staff met up with their second and third puppies Jenny and John. 

Kate Byrne from Just for Pets says: “Jenny was named after Jenny Knight, a sales assistant at our Acocks Green Branch. Over the nine years that Jenny has been with us, she has been tremendous at fundraising and Acocks Green raised the most money towards Jenny, and this was mainly through Jenny Knight's efforts."

John was named after John Davis, the recently retired chairman of Wynnstay, the Public Limited Company that Just for Pets are owned by. He joined the board of Wynnstay and Montgomeryshire Farmers Ltd in 1980.  He became chairman of the board in 1992 and chaired the group until his retirement in 2012. His family farms sheep, cattle and arable  in Ruabon (nr Wrexham).

Catrin Rod Community Fundraiser for the Guide Dogs Birmingham and Three Counties Mobility Team said: “Our name a puppy scheme is a fantastic way for companies and indeed individuals to aim for a fundraising target, they get to meet their puppy and follow its progress to ultimately make a difference to the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted, it is only through support such as this that we are able to maintain our lifelong commitment to blind and partially sighted people in the community as the guide dog service relies purely on voluntary income.“

Like all local mobility teams the Birmingham Team work with visually impaired people to provide a mobility service that meets individual’s needs, they have dedicated volunteers who fulfil a variety of roles as well as fundraising, and work collaboratively with other organisations. 

If you or someone you know could benefit from their services or you have some spare time and think you could help by volunteering then please contact the team on 08453 727434, or email birmingham@guidedogs.org.uk   If you want to find out more about Guide Dogs then please visit www.guidedogs.org.uk

Pictured: Guide Dog Jenny visits Just for Pets.