Guide Dog Appeal is just around the corner and the RNZFB still needs 3000 volunteers to help collect this year's target of $945,000. 

"Our thanks to those who have already signed up, but we need more feet-on-the-street during 7 – 9 April," says Patrick Holmes, RNZFB Divisional Manager, Fundraising.

"We really depend on the generosity of volunteers to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our members. By collecting for only two hours in local malls, supermarkets and shopping centres in your area volunteers make a huge difference to the lives of blind, deafblind and vision-impaired New Zealanders."

At least 3000 volunteers are needed nationwide:

Auckland / Northland: 1200

Waikato: 200

Bay of Plenty: 250

Hawke's Bay: 200

Wellington / Taranaki / Manawatu / Wairarapa / Wanganui: 250

Nelson / Marlborough: 200

Christchurch / Canterbury / West Coast: 400

Otago / Southland: 300

To donate a few hours of your time between 7 – 9 April please phone 0800 DOG DAY (0800 364 329) to speak with your nearest RNZFB regional fundraising manager.

It costs around $22,500 to breed, train and match a guide dog with a blind or vision-impaired New Zealander. Guide dogs are provided free of charge to RNZFB members. Guide Dog Services receives no government funding, all costs are covered by public donations, legacies and corporate sponsorship.

The 2006 Guide Dog Appeal will be held from Friday 7 - Sunday 9 April. Text GDOG to 883 to make a donation of $3.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Sarah Byers, RNZFB Communications Co-ordinator, Ph: 09 355 6906 or 021 752 875

OR

Jane Gower, RNZFB Communications Co-ordinator, Ph: 09 355 6884 or 021 357 412