THE Guide Dogs charity has received more than £12,700 from The Mall Blackburn after kind-hearted shoppers dug deep and donated throughout 2018.

More than £7,800 was collected from volunteers’ buckets over the past 12 months and more than £4,300 was totted up from the distinctive life-size dog collection points across the shopping centre. In addition, a further £534 was raised from a charity tombola.

A cheque was presented to a host of volunteers from Guide Dogs by The Mall’s management team earlier this month.

Siobhan Cullen, community fundraiser at Guide Dogs, said: "We are so thankful to have had such amazing support from The Mall Blackburn over the years.

“The staff and customers at the shopping centre are incredibly generous; we are astounded by how much has been raised from collections in 2018.

“This really is a life-changing amount of money which will help us to continue our life-changing services for people living with sight loss."

Loraine Jones, general manager at The Mall, said: “The Guide Dogs really is a fabulous cause so we were delighted to present a cheque to the team for such an amazing amount thanks to our extremely generous shoppers.

“We have supported them, and their vital work, for many years and last year has been the most successful yet. We look forward to our partnership continuing this year and beyond.”

The money raised will go towards the training and care of the dogs that provide life-changing mobility for the blind and partially sighted.