A fundraising charity bowls event to celebrate International Guide Dog Day will be held at Ettalong Bowling Club on Sunday, May 1, from 9am.
Bowlers and visitors are welcome to enjoy the bowling day and club facilities, with an auction and raffle to be run.
International Guide Dog Day, which actually falls on April 27, celebrates the important role guide dogs play in supporting people all around the world with low vision or blindness to achieve their goals and live independently.
This year Guide Dogs Australia will highlight the challenges and issues experienced by guide dog handlers caused by refusals and access issues.
It will also shine a positive light on businesses and organisations which are leading the way in accessibility, making their premises and services accessible and inclusive for all.
The Central Coast Volunteer Support Group was formed in 1982.
Over the ensuing years volunteers have been active in fundraising activities from The Entrance to the Peninsula.
The group continues to be visual and out and about in the community managing around 30 fundraising stalls a year at shopping centres across the Central Coast.
Members are available to share their experiences with visitors and discuss how guide dogs provide services to help people with low vision and blindness.
Support Group President, Merran Rudder, said the cost of breeding, training and raising just one guide dog was $50,000.
“Every dollar from the community counts as Guide Dogs Australia only receives minimal government funding,” she said.
“We appreciate the Central Coast community who continue to visit our stalls and the support given to us by the region’s shopping centres which provide space for our fundraising stalls.
“‘We are a small group of highly dedicated people who are passionate about the work that Guide Dogs Australia undertakes and we look forward to meeting visitors and members at the Charity Bowls Day at Ettalong Bowling Club.”
A group of Guide Dogs head office staff will join in the fun and Guide Dogs Australia CEO, Dale Cleaver, will present the club with a new large model collection dog.
Cost to play on the day will be $10 per bowler.
For more information, visit www.guidedogs.com.au.
Source:
Media release, Apr 20
Guide Dogs Australia Central Coast Support Group