Guide Dogs NSW/ACT community liaison officer Jill Howes thanked the group for its support and said it would help the organisation continue its current work.

“A great deal of time and resources goes into our work, which helps people who are either blind or have impaired vision,” she said.

“We do everything from the training of the dogs to helping people use canes or electronic aids to improve their mobility.”

Ms Howes said Guide Dogs NSW/ACT operated without government funding, which made community donations even more important.

“All the money comes from donations, bequests or fundraising. Our services are free so we rely on the public a great deal,” she said.

Ms Howes said it took two years and between $26,000 and $30,000 to develop a playful pup into a responsible guide dog.

“We buy the puppies from registered breeders throughout Australia and then volunteer puppy raisers take them for the next 14 months and teach them basic obedience,” she said.

“After that, they are taken on two weeks of assessment walks, and then the cream of the crop are chosen to go into a five-month intense guide dog training program.

“Those that make it through the program become guide dogs, while those that don’t go to an equally important program, Pets as Therapy, for people that are socially disadvantaged through illness, disability or social isolation.”

Mustang Car Owners’ Club of Australia member Arthur Ladkin said the Guide Dogs “does a wonderful job for people who are either blind or have impaired vision across the state”.

“The money donated by the club was raised through a combination of fundraisers such as raffles, fundraising outings and membership fees,” he said.

Ms Howes said there were around 250 blind or partially sighted people in NSW/ACT who received help from the organisation.

“The guide dog training program includes teaching the dogs to recognise kerbs and gutters, as well as how to deal with traffic, stairs, escalators and lifts.”

Guide Dogs NSW/ ACT enhances the quality of life of people who are blind or vision impaired, by assisting in their achievement of independence through access and mobility.