Support Guide Dogs’ BBC Lifeline Appeal
This January, Guide Dogs is being featured in a BBC Lifeline Appeal to help raise funds for our life-changing work. Viewers will meet Eliza, Devante and Margaret – as well as some staff members and, of course, our wonderful pups – and learn how Guide Dogs is supporting each of them. The appeal, which will be presented by Wendi Peters, will air on BBC One at 1.50pm, 28 January, and will be available to rewatch on BBC iPlayer. Our trusted corporate partner Petplan will match the support given to this appeal, up to £20,000.
Being a dog owner myself, I know the huge benefits dogs can bring to people’s lives. I’m proud to have been an ambassador for the charity since 2012 and in that time I’ve seen how these extraordinary animals can transform lives, giving people independence and the chance to, once again, live the life they choose.
Over the years Guide Dogs have developed a wide range of services with and without dogs to support people living with a vision impairment. Children and adults. Friends and family. Whoever you are, their expert staff, dedicated volunteers and life-changing dogs are here to help people live actively, independently, and well.
They’re a charity, almost entirely funded by donations and their work really is life-changing as you’ll see in this appeal. Your support will really make a difference.
Eliza
When Eliza was four months old, her parents noticed her eyes kept drifting inwards. When she was nine months old, they found out Eliza had no light perception and was registered as blind.
Mum Lauren saw the Guide Dogs TV advert and phoned to ask if any support was available for Eliza. She now gets regular visits from her Habilitation Specialist, Lindsey, who teaches her how to learn about her environment and provides support and reassurance for the whole family.
Devante
Not being able to see in the dark, Devante lost a lot of friends. He wouldn’t go to parties because going out at night made him feel anxious.
But now with guide dog Mack by his side, Devante says his world has opened up in more ways than he could have ever imagined. “Mack has given me confidence, independence and put the smile back on my face,” says Devante. He’s continuing to do all the things he loves like meeting friends, playing goalball and even climbing the Three Peaks.
There’s a common misperception that people with sight loss are elderly but Devante, aged 31, wants people to realise that vision impairment can happen at any age.
Margaret
Everything changed for Margaret in December 2021 when her fourth guide dog, Bob, collapsed unexpectedly while they were out working. Suddenly, she was left without the support that had enabled her to get out and about safely.
During the appeal film, Margaret will share her story of how Guide Dogs’ vision rehabilitation team helped her build out the confidence to get out and about again while she waits for her next guide dog partnership.
We’re so excited that the work of Guide Dogs will be featured in the latest BBC Lifeline Appeal. This short film will showcase the breadth of Guide Dogs’ services which support people with sight loss throughout their lives, from childhood to adulthood. Thank you to everyone who supports the appeal so we can continue our life-changing work.
Support Guide Dogs' BBC Lifeline Appeal
We hope you’ll tune in to watch the appeal and hear these amazing stories at 1.50pm, 28 January, on BBC One. By supporting the appeal, you can help Guide Dogs continue to provide life-changing support to people like Eliza, Devante and Margaret living with sight loss in the UK.
Every pound raised will be matched by our trusted corporate partner, Petplan, up to a maximum of £20,000. This means by supporting today you can raise even more for Guide Dogs’ life-changing services.