Two volunteer guide dog puppy raisers have been praised at the North West Regional Guide Dogs Awards.
Rita Chew, who lives in Fence, and Stewart Hurlstone, who lives in Barnoldswick, won awards at the finals of the regional awards, which celebrate people who help raise puppies, which go on to become guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired.
The duo, who are both members of the Burnley Fundraising Group for Guide Dogs, said they were surprised to win.
Rita won in the lead by example category.
She said: “The award was a lovely surprise.
"The event took place at a hotel in Bolton, where the original training centre for the North West was.
“The title of the award was Lead by Example. It was mainly focused on the work I do with our puppies as a puppy raiser.
“We receive our puppies at eight weeks and start socialising and basic training until they are ready to go onto their first stage of training.
“In that time, we literally do everything with them to go out into the big wide world.
"There is nothing better than receiving a phone call from the person who gets that puppy who has now gone on to be their guide dog, and they say thank you.
“That is what it is all about. We have a lovely group of volunteers in our area, who all help each other.”
Stuart, 68, has been working as a guide dog puppy raiser for 15 years. He has helped to raise eight puppies to move on to the next stage of guide dog training.
He was given the ‘person-centred award’.
He said: “I was surprised to win. I don’t do permanent guide dog puppy walking anymore, but I am always available to help out.
"We have puppy classes in Barnoldswick and are always happy to help there.
“If people go on holiday, I can let dogs stay with me.
“Some people don’t leave their homes for years after going blind. When they get their guide dog, it gets them out and gives them independence to go out on their own.”
Jackie Lancaster, who also volunteers alongside Rita and Stewart, said there is a shortage of puppy raisers.
She said: “I am also a guide dog puppy raiser and a volunteer fundraiser, speaker and educational experience champion.
“I have been a volunteer for seven years, having taken early retirement from teaching eight years ago.
“The role of a puppy raiser is vital, as without them to raise the puppies in the early part of their journey, there would not be any guide dogs.
“There is currently a shortage of puppy raisers, which also means visually impaired people have to wait longer for their first match or replacement after their guide has retired.”
Should you wish to know more, please visit www.guidedogs.org.uk.
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