An Inishowen footballer recently interviewed Roy Keane exclusively for Guide Dog Day, which takes place this Friday, May 1.
Kevn Kelly from Urris, with his guide dog Miles, and Laurence McDermott from Killea, along with guide dog Scamp, recently met with the Irish football legend at Irish Guide Dogs headquarters to mark the start of a major fundraising drive for the charity. Kevin got the chance to grill Roy in an in-depth interview while there, which will be release by the charity at a later date.
Kevin, who lost his sight in his teens and is now a member of the Ireland Blind Football team, got his guide dog Miles in May 2008. He said Miles is inspiring. Kevin is encouraging others to get active in aid of Irish Guide Dogs. By participating in a sporting fundraising event, people will raise essential funds for IGDB so that more guide dogs can be trained to benefit other persons with vision loss just as Miles benefits Kevin.
Laurence, who tragically lost his sight 18 years ago when he was attacked with a screwdriver by a car thief, has had Scamp since June last year and has said that the difference Irish Guide Dogs has made to his life has been immeasurable. “I did not have a life before getting a Guide Dog. Life is incredible now with my Guide Dog Scamp. The staff at Irish Guide Dogs believed in me and I am forever grateful for that.”
Currently Irish Guide Dogs supports 20 people in County Donegal; 10 use Irish Guide Dogs’ vision impairment services and 10 have an Assistance Dog from the charity.
Roy Keane and Kevin Kelly
Roy Keane met with Laurence and Kevin and other clients from around the country to launch Guide Dog Day, Irish Guide Dogs’ new national campaign which takes place on May 1 supported by Hills Dog Food. Speaking at the launch Roy said: “Growing up in Cork we always had dogs and then when I went to England with the pressure of matches, I always found spending time with my dogs a great way of relaxing. I have two dogs at the moment, a German Shepherd and a Labrador and they are a massive part of my family. I’d be lost without them they are a massive part of our lives.”
Roy urges the public to support Guide Dog Day and text WOOF to 50300 to donate €4. “I always enjoy talking to the people who have and need the dogs; finding out how much the dog means to them; without the dogs they wouldn’t get out and about. It’s amazing; absolutely amazing.”
Irish Guide Dogs is 80% funded by voluntary income and donations so it relies on the public’s support to fund its services. “It costs €38,000 to train one of our pups to become a working Guide or Assistance Dog and we are reliant on donations to deliver our services so please support Guide Dog Day any way you can,” said Paula McGovern, Communications Manager with the charity.
There are street collections and Tesco collections all around Ireland. In County Donegal there are street collections taking place on May 1 in Donegal Town and Letterkenny.
To donate €4 text WOOF to 50300. 100% of text goes to Irish Guide Dogs across most network operators. Some operators apply VAT which means that a minimum of €3.25 will go to Irish Guide Dogs. Service provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 0766805278.
(Source – Donegal Now – 28/04/2015)
