...volunteers needed for the Guide Dog Appeal!

It's that time of the year again. The RNZFB needs 6,000 volunteer collectors to rattle the buckets between 7 – 9 April to help raise $945,000 for guide dogs and other essential services for blind, deafblind and vision-impaired New Zealanders.

"Guide Dog Services receives no government funding so every dollar raised really counts," says Patrick Holmes, RNZFB Divisional Manager, Fundraising.

"Clearly, the more volunteers we have, the more money we collect helping us provide essential services for members; services that help our members do things most of us take for granted.

"Each guide dog costs $22,500 but the freedom and independence a guide dog gives its handler is priceless."

The RNZFB is asking for people to volunteer for around two to three hours to collect donations on the streets, in local malls, supermarkets and shopping centres in their area.

Volunteers are needed throughout New Zealand –

Auckland/Northland 1500; Waikato 450, Tauranga 500; Hawkes Bay 400; Wellington 1100; Nelson 400; Christchurch 1000; Dunedin 600.

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.

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind is New Zealand’s primary service provider for blind, deafblind and vision-impaired. Every year nearly 1500 New Zealanders either go blind or experience serious sight loss.

The 2006 Guide Dog Appeal will be held from Friday 7 - Sunday 9 April.

-ENDS-

For more information please contact:

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

OR

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