Saundersfoot guide dog volunteer celebrates Lifetime award

Eva Rich, from Saundersfoot, received a Lifetime of Service award in an event in Cardiff coinciding with Volunteers Week.
Andrew Lennox, Guide Dogs' chief executive, announced that Ms Rich has been a guide dog owner for 63 years with seven guide dogs throughout her life.
The names of each dog were read out during the ceremony.
Ms Rich revealed to the audience her anticipation of being paired with guide dog number eight, following the withdrawal of Nancy, a Labrador cross retriever.
Pembrokeshire's collection box coordinator, Lynn Knibbs, accompanied Mrs Rich at the event, where they were presented with a bouquet, badge, commemorative plate imprinted with a guide dog image, as well as a certificate.

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5 days ago

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Eglinton Country Park celebrates Volunteers Week

Volunteers from the Veterans Group, Eglinton Park Path Stewards, Breaking Ground Horticulture, Ground Force Garden Group and the Friday Conservation Volunteers attended the event Eglinton Country Park alongside North Ayrshire Ranger Service celebrated Volunteers Week. Volunteers were invited to Eglinton Community Gardens on Wednesday, June 4 to enjoy a thank you breakfast as Park Countryside Rangers Linda and Graeme put on a lovely spread to share their thanks for everyone's ongoing commitment. ‌ Volunteers from the Veterans Group, Eglinton Park Path Stewards, Breaking Ground Horticulture, Ground Force Garden Group and the Friday Conservation Volunteers were all in attendance at the polytunnel hub in the heart of the local community gardens. ‌ In the past year the groups have volunteered a staggering 3,500 hours combined of volunteering to the local country park. 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South Wales Argus

12-06-2025

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Blind Caerphilly woman raised over £5k for Guide Dogs Cymru

Sue Sims, from Caerphilly, jumped 10,000 feet from a plane to fundraise for Guide Dogs Cymru. The money she raised helped name a puppy Flora in honour of her former guide dog, who passed away in 2021. In June 2024, Sue and her husband Steve were visited by nine-month-old Flora, a yellow Labrador being raised by Guide Dogs volunteer Linda Hole in Bristol. Sue was happy to find out that Linda had also raised Wenna, her second guide dog. Sue, who has had seven guide dogs in total, said: "Meeting puppy Flora made the skydive worthwhile. "She was gorgeous and so well-behaved, giving puppy raiser Linda her full attention. "I hope she goes on to be a successful guide dog." She added that her seven guide dogs have had a huge impact on her life, saying: "Having a guide dog gives you so much confidence to get out independently and meet people. "They talk to you when you have a dog, but when you are using a cane they don't like to approach you, or don't know how." Sue Sims completed a skydive last summer to fundraise for Guide Dogs Cymru (Image: Guide Dogs Cymru) Sue and her current guide dog, Saxon, are active members of the Caerphilly fundraising group for Guide Dogs, participating in supermarket collections and talks. "We meet so many people, and we just love it," Sue said. She invites anyone interested in the cause to meet her and Saxon at upcoming collections at Tesco in Talbot Green on Friday and Saturday, June 13 and 14, or Asda in Caerphilly on Saturday, June 21. To find out more about volunteering for Guide Dogs, visit

Western Telegraph

11-06-2025

• Western Telegraph

Saundersfoot guide dog volunteer celebrates Lifetime award

Eva Rich, from Saundersfoot, received a Lifetime of Service award in an event in Cardiff coinciding with Volunteers Week. Andrew Lennox, Guide Dogs' chief executive, announced that Ms Rich has been a guide dog owner for 63 years with seven guide dogs throughout her life. The names of each dog were read out during the ceremony. Ms Rich revealed to the audience her anticipation of being paired with guide dog number eight, following the withdrawal of Nancy, a Labrador cross retriever. Pembrokeshire's collection box coordinator, Lynn Knibbs, accompanied Mrs Rich at the event, where they were presented with a bouquet, badge, commemorative plate imprinted with a guide dog image, as well as a certificate.