Employees at South Marston’s Honda branch voted to donate to a cause that will see the community name a guide dog.

Every month, the branch donates to worthy causes based on employee votes.

This month, they gave £750 to a scheme run by councillor Russell Holland and veteran fundraiser Alan Fletcher, and his guide dog Nutmeg.

The donation has meant the fundraiser has almost hit its £2,500 target. 

Money raised will go to Guide Dogs UK, and the community will then have an opportunity to decide on a puppy’s name.

Russell said: “A massive thank you to Honda for this donation. It’s really generous and really helped us. It’s a great step forward.”

He said the idea for the fundraiser came when Alan’s guide dog Nutmeg was flooded with birthday messages.

“It started when Nutmeg was getting so many likes on her birthday post on Facebook," he said.

“I run a local Facebook community group and the idea was to give ourselves positive to do during lockdown and something that would last through lockdown.

“We’re aiming to raise £2,500 to have the opportunity to name a guide dog and get the certificate so that’s something we can say we did together as a community.

“The idea is to cheer everyone up a bit in lockdown, something positive to focus on. We can do it together as a community in lockdown, and the certificate will be up on the wall at Grange Drive Community Centre for people to see after lockdown.

“Alan has been doing fundraisers for guide dogs for a very long time, and he has raised so much money over the years.”

To name the puppy, Coun Holland will ask for suggestions on Facebook and the community will vote to decide.

Fundraiser Alan added: “Having a guide dog like Nutmeg gives me my freedom, independence and mobility to help me lead a normal life as possible. 

“I would like to thank Honda for the donation and to everyone else who has donated to name a puppy.

“This puppy will hopefully go on to change the life of someone else suffering with vision impairment.”

Honda UK director Jason Smith said: “We’re delighted to be able to continue helping our local community. Despite our closure this year, Honda is determined to leave a lasting legacy in the local area.”

To donate, visit Russell Holland’s JustGiving page.