GUIDE dogs for the Blind has received an extra boost with a generous donation towards their newest puppy-in-training.

Now in their sixth year of fundraising for the charity, Swindon Phoenix Rotary Club presented a cheque for £5,000 to chair of Swindon Guide Dogs for the Blind, Alan Fletcher.

The generous donation will go towards sponsoring a sixth guide dog puppy with the Rotary planning on naming the new addition Cilla in memory of community stalwart Cilla Slipper who died this year.

Cilla was well known in Old Town and was married to longstanding Rotary club member Mike.

“Cilla was a great participant in Rotary activities and loved dogs so it was fitting to name this guide dog in her honour,” said club secretary John Fisher.

“It’s unbelievable the support we get year on year. I just think it’s a wonderful thing that a dog can actually assist people and our donations are helping people to lead an independent and normal life.

This was the sixth guide dog puppy Rotary has sponsored and a cheque for £5,000 is enough to fund one year of guide dog training,

The group’s guide dog odyssey began in 2010 when then president of Swindon Thamesdown Rotary Club John Fisher introduced the sale of toy guide dog puppies named Stanley.

Local supporters purchased the cuddly pups and took them on holiday, leading the toys to be snapped all around the world including Italy, America and Bali. One Stanley was even papped with Wales international and Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale who posed up with the cuddly toy in support of the charity. This was featured in the Adver in the Where in the world is Stanley?’ segment

With the proceeds from the sale of these toy puppies Rotary was able to raise enough money for their first sponsored Guide Dog Stanley.

In six years guide dog puppies Ella, Rory, Jodi, and Phoenix have also joined the fold.

“It must be terrible not being able to see, and not being able to have as much independence,” said John.

“It can be completely disorientating and with the fundraising that we do we are helping to build confidence.” and provide this invaluable gift of a companion and guide.

To date the Rotary Club has raised over £30,000 and is now in the process of raising monies for their seventh sponsored guide dog.

The mammoth sum was raised through donations and Rotary fundraising initiative Club 1000,