Quadrant shoppers raise over £30,000 for Guide Dogs

Shoppers have helped raise over £30,000 for charity Guide Dogs at the Quadrant Shopping Centre in Swansea in a partnership that has spanned eight years.

The charity, which helps blind and partially sighted people across the UK through the provision of guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services, has been invited to use the space free of charge by the Quadrant every year since 2013.

Each year, Guide Dogs has utilised the space by raising awareness and engaging with the public, introducing shoppers to the guide dogs themselves and their owners. This year, fundraiser and guide dog owner Robert Pritchard cycled 90km on his exercise bike in the centre of the Quadrant for the Guide Dog 90 appeal, raising vital funds for the charity.

According to Sarah Knox, Regional Community Fundraising Manager at Guide Dogs, many Quadrant shoppers have become volunteers after interacting with Guide Dogs in the shopping centre: “From university students to staff from local businesses and retirees, many people have been inspired by the work we do and have wanted to give more than money. We run a ‘Donate an Hour’ scheme, where people take part in volunteer taster sessions, and they generally choose to stay longer.

“We’re very thankful to staff and customers of the Quadrant Shopping Centre for their incredible support over the years. It costs nearly £55,000 to support a guide dog from birth to retirement and the generosity shown by Quadrant shoppers has gone a long way towards helping us continue to transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people in the UK.”

Lisa Hartley, Quadrant Shopping Centre Manager, said: “This is the eighth time that we have invited Guide Dogs to come and fundraise in the Quadrant, and we are extremely proud to hear that the centre and our shoppers have helped raise over £30,000 for this incredible charity. There are almost two million people living with sight loss in the UK, and we are delighted to contribute towards changing people’s lives for the better.”

This October, Guide Dogs is celebrating its 90^th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the charity has launched a 90 appeal which asks supporters to do something 90 themed to raise money. Whether that’s walking 90 km, playing 90 minutes of charity football, washing 90 cars, or baking and selling 90 cakes, the support from the public will allow Guide Dogs to help people with sight loss now, and for the next 90 years.

For more information on Guide Dogs, visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk

Lead image: Lisa Hartley, Quadrant Centre Manager, with the Guide Dogs team