Travel Village Group staff have taken part in a blindfold walk along Blackpool’s Promenade to help raise money for Guide Dogs.
Staff are supporting a campaign by Callum Stoneman, the son of one the group’s homeworkers, Tracy, to raise £10,000 for the charity after the death of his guide dog and lifelong companion Iggy.
The one-mile walk took place this week, finishing in front of Blackpool Tower, with seven blindfolded walkers and seven people guiding them. They included Callum and his mum.
The group’s content manager Jess Clayton, who organised the walk, said: “We were fantastically lucky with the weather, as the sun was shining, and plenty of people were out on the Promenade, meaning better visibility of what we were doing.”
As well as raising funds, the walk aimed to raise awareness of what it is like to be blind and the importance of having a guide.
Callum’s mum Tracy, who has just taken part in a fun run in Manchester and is going on a zip wire ride later this month as part of her fundraising, said: “It was such a great day. I have been the mum of a blind child for over 23 years, yet I have never done anything like this. It certainly was an ‘eye-opener’ as to just a few of the challenges visually-impaired people come across in everyday life, and how amazing a guide dog really is.”
Marketing executive Jenny Higgins said: “It was a strange, but incredibly valuable experience. I would encourage others to try it and realise what it’s like to be without sight; and to be dependent on someone else, placing your full trust in them. It’s definitely a true team bonding experience!”
Group commercial manager Richard Cross said: “The event truly made me realise the importance of Guide Dogs, and how much someone can rely on them to go about every aspect of their daily life.”
So far, the total raised is just over £3,000.
Clayton is also taking part in her own challenge to walk up Snowdon while blindfolded with a guide on April 24.
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