Reading Football Club fans had a chance to meet guide dogs and puppies ahead of a match against Wigan Athletic earlier this season.
The four-legged visitors were part of a group of volunteers from the sight loss charity, Guide Dogs. Volunteers included guide dog owners and puppy raisers who, along with their guide dogs and guide dog puppies-in-training, greeted Royals as they arrived at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Fans also had a chance to donate to the charity and win merchandise signed by Reading FC players. Raffle tickets sales helped raise over £850 for Guide Dogs and saw lucky supporters win signed football shirts and balls.
Reading FC’s CEO, Joe Jacobson, said: “Reading Football Club is proud to support organisations that make a genuine difference in our community, and Guide Dogs is a truly fantastic charity doing life-changing work. We are incredibly pleased that our supporters helped raise more than £850 through their generosity, and we thank everyone involved for helping make the day such a success.”
Raffle winners were announced pitch-side at halftime by Sophie Hall, a member of the volunteer group, who took the opportunity to thank fans and share more about Guide Dogs’ work.
Sophie Hall, a volunteer fundraiser for Guide Dogs, said: “We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone at Reading Football Club for supporting us. We’re incredibly grateful for the warm welcome and donations, and hope fans enjoyed meeting our volunteers and dogs as much as we’ve enjoyed being here.
“The guide dogs and owners among our fundraising group are real examples of the life changing partnerships made possible by Guide Dogs and your donations. These funds are crucial for the charity to raise the next generation of guide dogs – like the puppies we have with us today – and support even more people with sight loss.”
There are more than two million people living with sight loss in the UK. This number is growing. During a 90-minute football match, 15 more people will start to lose their sight.
Guide Dogs is here to support all people with sight loss to live the life that they choose, whether that’s through a guide dog, buddy dog, vision rehabilitation support or the charity’s wider services. These services are funded almost entirely by donations. Money raised by the charity is therefore vitally important to support even more adults and children with sight loss.
For more information about Guide Dogs, visit guidedogs.org.uk.
