Bolnore pupils follow progress of guide dog puppies as part of sight loss awareness scheme

David Wilson Homes has sponsored a Guide Dogs ‘Puppy Graduation Scheme’ so pupils at Bolnore Village Primary School can understand sight loss.

The children will follow guide dog puppies Libby, Barrie and Bolt from the age of seven weeks through to the completion of their formal training at Guide Dogs.

Pupils were treated to a special assembly this week, where they received a talk from Richard Foot, a guide dog owner with his guide dog Annie.

Lynnette St-Quintin, sales and marketing director for David Wilson Southern Counties, developer of the nearby Wychwood Park development, said: “We are really pleased to be able to work with Bolnore Village School on this project, as part of our ongoing collaboration with Guide Dogs.

“Our staff are passionate about supporting this charity whenever we can, and we are pleased that the pupils enjoyed the assembly and are looking forward to following the puppies’ training.

“We hope that both the experience and the lessons they learn will stay with them for a long time to come.”

The sponsorship is part of an ongoing partnership between the housebuilder and the Guide Dogs organisation.

Phillipa Thom, community fundraiser for West Sussex at Guide Dogs, said: “Our volunteer puppy walkers’ key responsibility is to prepare the puppies for their working life by familiarising them with as many different environments including the home, town and public transport.

“The pup will then enter formal training to learn guiding skills.

“We really appreciate the ongoing support from David Wilson Homes and the importance that they place on teaching children not just about sight loss but realising the life changing impact a guide dog can have on those who are blind or partially sighted.”

Tracy Taylor, headteacher at Bolnore Village School, said: “It was a great experience for the children to meet Richard and his guide dog Annie and to hear how Annie has changed Richard’s life.

“We are all very excited to be given the opportunity to follow Libby, Barrie and Bolt through their training.”