GUIDE Dogs are appealing to individuals, community groups and local businesses to help people living with sight loss in the area to become mobile and independent, by committing to raise the £5000 needed to support a guide dog puppy.

Donors will be able to choose the name of a future life-changing puppy, receive regular reports about the pup’s progress during its first year and will get to meet the puppy they have named.

Staff at Network Rail in Swindon, who raised the £5000 needed to put a guide dog puppy through their first year of training, named their puppy Wispa.

At the end of their training, Wispa will be matched to someone living with sight loss and begin a partnership which will provide the person with years of independence and mobility.

Staff at Network Rail fundraised the amount by selling snacks to staff over three months.

Victoria from Guide Dogs, said: "It has been a joy watching Network Rail on their Name a Puppy journey. It is a really special initiative, not only will you see first-hand the results of your donation, it also gives you a tangible fundraising target to aim for.”

If you would like to know more please email Victoria at Victoria.Noyce-Guthrie@guidedogs.org.uk or visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/nameapuppy