THE Guide Dogs enthusiastic team of volunteers in Hereford have teamed up with staff at Sainsbury's having been chosen as the shops charity of the year. Led by Sue Davies, the stores community champion, staff and customers have got involved in cake and book sales, tombolas, quiz, Zumba, collections, wags 'n' wellies walk, and one staff member has even braved a sky dive.

They met their first objective after just a few months and raised £5,000 to name their first puppy who they will get to meet.

They have since gone on to raise over £6,000 more and will be naming puppy number two and hoping that they might even raise enough to get to number three.

Guide Dogs community fundraiser Alison Waterer says "Our fundraising and awareness events are vital as it costs the Guide Dog Service £5 a day to keep a partnership on the road making independence possible for blind and partially sighted people. With around 21 guide dog owners in Herefordshire the charity daily needs £105 to support services in the local area. Working with our local guide dog owners, volunteers, Sue and her team at Sainsbury's has been amazing, they are all so enthusiastic and we hope they have enjoyed it too and realise that they really are helping to change lives by ensuring everyone with sight loss who needs our help to give them the independence to get out and about gets it."

If you are interested in finding out more about how you too can fundraise to name a puppy, guide dog services or volunteering opportunities then please contact the Birmingham Mobility Team on 0345 143 0194 or email Birmingham@guidedogs.org.uk