Watch out for volunteers in red vests with black buckets today, tomorrow and Sunday – they're collecting for the Guide Dog Appeal!

Guide dogs mean freedom, independence, confidence and companionship, but these important mobility aids come at a high cost.

It costs $22,500 to breed, raise, train and match a guide dog before it graduates as part of a working team.

"Our appeal theme is "We need dogs" - not the dogs themselves, but the funds to continue providing guide dogs and other valuable services to blind, vision-impaired and deafblind New Zealanders," says Jeanette Manson, Fundraising Divisional Manager, Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB).

"We need to raise $800,000 this appeal so please give generously when you see our collectors out and about or you can donate $3 by texting GDOG to 883."

Guide dogs are provided free of charge to the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's (RNZFB) members. Guide Dog Services receives no government funding. All costs are covered by public donations, legacies and corporate sponsorship.

Volunteer collectors will be in shopping malls, supermarkets, CBDs throughout New Zealand on Friday 8 April, Saturday 9 April and Sunday 10 April.

ENDS

For more information or a photo please contact:
Jane Gower, RNZFB Communications Co-ordinator Ph: 09 355 6884 or 021 357 412