14-Feb-12: Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is calling on Dublin North and Dublin City center community members to 'get going for Guide Dogs' and volunteer in 2012.

The national charity is hosting a volunteer information evening at Croke Park Hotel, Drumcondra at 8pm on February 21st to highlight the many ways volunteers can get involved in support of their work.

Irish Guide Dogs is on a national drive to find volunteers willing and able to help. Over 80% of the organisation's income is raised through voluntary donations and all services for people living with sight loss or autism are offered free of charge.

Guide Dog owners Tom and Breege O'Neill from Balbriggan have been supporting Irish Guide Dogs for over 30 years already. They know firsthand the life changing impact a Guide Dog makes and have worked tirelessly for many years to help fundraise so that more people can avail of the organisation's services.

Tom says, "Without fundraising volunteers, Breege and I would not have the mobility and freedom we currently enjoy through our guide dogs. In the last few years, Irish Guide Dogs has needed to do more with fewer resources. Fundraising in particular is an area needing additional support. We're hoping that the Information Evenings will highlight the value of the organisation's work and inspire more people to support. "

Nick Palmer, Director of Kingston Technology International, has been an active fundraiser for Guide Dogs for over ten years, part of which was in England with U.K. Guide Dogs. He says it's his love of dogs that got him initially started. An active volunteer for the charity's Balbriggan North County Dublin Branch, Nick says, "I like to describe Irish Guide Dogs as a 'feel good' charity because you get to see the positive outcomes of your efforts as a volunteer. I can't help but feel good when I see a guide dog in action. Knowing that I have helped another person enjoyed an improved quality of life is extremely rewarding and inspires me to keep doing more."

The evening is open to individuals, club or business interested in supporting. To find out more, call Finbarr Roche on 1850 506 300 or e-mail finbarr@guidedogs.ie.

You can also go to www.guidedogs.ie for more information.

If the date of the evening does not suit you but are still interested in volunteering, the charity would still like to hear from you. Call Finbarr who would be happy to discuss volunteering opportunities with you on the phone.