Get together for ourGuide Dog puppy appeal

Ann Hamilton (63), is a member of a small but successful fundraising group in South Lanarrkshire, the Chatelherault Cohorts, which has raised more than £13,000 for Guide Dogs in one year.

Ann, who is also a puppy walker, believes the key to a good fundraising effort is to bring people together.

Successful ventures have included selling hand-knitted Easter chicks stuffed with chocolate eggs, and similarly they also sell bags of lavender. These are available all over the local area.

Said Ann: “We just ask people if they’d be willing to help us sell. Most are quite agreeable, including the doctor’s surgery and garages.”

The group has also organised various other activities, ranging from sponsored walks to Doors Open Day events, and are also making a calendar.

In their first year, the Cohorts raised enough to sponsor two Guide Dog puppies – named Heather and Bracken – and are well on the way to their third.

Said Anne: “When you’re getting together to fundraise it’s very important to get out there and talk to people. None of us knew each other when we started the Cohorts.”

n The News and Chronicle is aiming to raise £5000 to sponsor a Guide Dog puppy – which our generous readers will get to name. If you’re staging an event to help our appeal, let us know and we’ll get your photograph taken - call 01236 725578.

You can also send cheques made out to “Cumbernauld News Appeal” and we’ll forward them to the Guide Dogs Training School in Forfar.