Latest news with #GuideDogsCymru
South Wales Argus
12-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
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
South Wales Argus
09-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Pontllanfraith couple win award for raising guide dog pups
Peter and Sue Simms, from Pontllanfraith, were presented with the Princess Alexandra Award for Lifetime Achievement by Guide Dogs Cymru at a ceremony in Cardiff to mark Volunteers' Week. The couple took in their first guide dog puppy 25 years ago and have continued to foster and care for puppies, many of whom have gone on to become successful guide dogs. Mr Simms said: "We got involved with Guide Dogs two years after our own dog died. "We missed having a dog but were reluctant to get another pet, so this was an opportunity to do something different." The couple are currently looking after black Labrador cross German Shepherd Jenna, who is 14 months old. She accompanied them to the awards ceremony, where they were praised for their compassion, patience and generosity in helping guide dog puppies to thrive. They were presented with their award by Guide Dogs' chief executive, Andrew Lennox, who said: "They have proved themselves to be truly remarkable, kind individuals." The couple say they have learned how smart the dogs are by the speed at which they develop.
Leader Live
14-05-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
North Wales MS Mark Isherwood shares his weekly update
MS for North Wales Questioning the First Minister about the accessibility of town centres and outdoor public places for blind and partially sighted people, I referred to correspondence I received from Guide Dogs Cymru stating that 'blind and vision impaired people are rarely consulted on Place Making Plans, in spite of Welsh Government's expectations, and the legal requirement for Equality Impact Assessments to demonstrate accessible and meaningful engagement'. After also referring to Deaf and hearing loss charity RNID's latest report, 'Still Ignored: The Fight for Accessible Healthcare', which found that 'despite the All Wales Standards for Accessible Communication and Information being introduced more than a decade ago, fewer than 1 in 5 agreed that their information and communication needs are met more often now than a decade ago', I therefore asked whether her Welsh Government will 'introduce, at last, effective monitoring of Wales' accessibility standards for people with sensory loss, involving them in the process'. Wales is the only UK country without a Deaf Mental Health Service, yet Deaf people are twice as likely to experience a mental health problem as a hearing person. Responding to the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing's Statement, 'The Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy', I therefore asked her why the Strategy does not confirm involvement of the All Wales Deaf Mental Health and Wellbeing Group. I also asked her why the Strategy does not categorically state that conditions such as Autism and ADHD are lifelong conditions, not mental health conditions, although they can lead to challenges that increase the risk of mental health issues, and that it is therefore incumbent on Services to establish and adjust to a Neurodivergent person's needs, and stop treating them as the problem. Senedd engagements included Biodiversity Day event, where I met RSPB Cymru in my role as the Wales Species Champion for the Curlew, and Cross-Party Group on Dementia. Following MS Awareness Week 2025, I also sponsored an MS Society Cymru 'MS Conversations' event in the Senedd. Informed by issues raised in both the September 2024 Auditor General for Wales report on Active Travel in Wales and the Welsh Government's Active Travel Board report for 2023-24, the Senedd Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, which I Chair, is undertaking an inquiry into Active Travel. As part of this, I visited Slovenia with the Committee. 'Active travel' describes everyday journeys made in a physically active way. Other engagements included the Polish Integration Support Centre (PISC)'s Polish Heritage Day celebration at St. Mary's Cathedral, Wrexham. For help, email or call 0300 200 7219.
