Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind Limerick take the lead on Guide Dog Day 2025

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind Limerick take the lead on Guide Dog Day 2025. A 60 strong group along with around 30 dogs took part in the Take the Lead Walk in aid of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind at the University of Limerick on Sunday 25^th May, they were joined at the end by Mayor of Limerick John Moran with his Red Setter Henri

Limerick Branch of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind was out in force from Friday, 23 to Sunday, 25 May to mark Guide Dog Day 2025

The Limerick Branch of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind was out in force from Friday, 23 to Sunday, May 25 to mark Guide Dog Day, the largest event in the fundraising calendar for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.  The volunteers of the Limerick Branch, together with a number of service dogs, spent the weekend raising awareness and much-needed funds for the charity.

Costing more than €5 million a year to run the organisation and with only 15 per cent of funding coming from the government, the charity relies heavily on the generosity and support of the general public, corporates and gifts in wills. All services provided are free of charge and the breeding, training and care of one dog costs €53,000. This year, the charity is aiming to change the lives of 70 families.

2025 Guide Dog Day, Friday 23rd May, which this year was sponsored by Park2Travel, saw a fleet of Limerick Branch Volunteers don their green and head out on the fundraising trail to the Crescent Shopping Centre, Ryan’s Centra in Raheen and Tesco in Newcastle West.  A group of 12 volunteers from Dell in Limerick took to the streets in Limerick city for a bucket collection.  Shoppers in the Crescent Shopping Centre and Ryan’s Centra in Raheen were greeted by volunteers again on Saturday, May 24.

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Sunday morning saw the wrapping up of the Guide Dog Day 2025 celebrations, with a 3km Take the Lead Walk around the scenic grounds of the University of Limerick.  A 60-strong group accompanied by about 30 dogs enjoyed a sunny Sunday stroll around the grounds of the University of Limerick taking in the riverbank and the Living Bridge.  They were joined at the end by Mayor of Limerick John Moran and his adorable Red Setter Henri, who was a big hit with everyone.

Earlier in the week Karen Madigan accompanied by her Assistance Dog Tommy and Puppy Raiser Aine O’Dea, took to the airwaves on the Live 95fm Limerick Today Show. Karen spoke about the positive effect Tommy has had on her family and her son, who has autism, while Aine described the great sense of achievement she experienced following her year of puppy raising the fabulous Labrador/Retriever puppy Tess.  Tess has now returned to the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind Training Centre in Cork and is undergoing her Technical Training.

Chairperson for the Limerick Volunteer Branch, Marie Ryan, said, “I wish to thank the members of the public for their overwhelming generosity and all the businesses who continue to support the fundraising efforts of the Limerick branch of the charity year after year.  For anyone who wishes to donate to the charity, volunteer or who may be interested in Puppy Raising or looking to learn more about the services offered by Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, please visit www.guidedogs.ie.”

All funds raised over the weekend will go directly towards transforming lives by providing highly trained service dogs, which will give people with visual impairments, children with autism, and students greater independence and mobility.

Tim O’Mahony, CEO of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, underscored the growing urgency for support, “Last year, thanks to the incredible generosity shown on Guide Dog Day, we successfully created many life-changing partnerships — matching 48 Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs and placing 5 Community Dogs in schools and facilities nationwide. But the need is growing fast. It costs approximately €53,000 to breed, train, and care for just one service dog. This year, we’re calling on the public to help us reach our goal of transforming the lives of 70 more families across Ireland. Over the next decade, the number of school-aged children with autism is expected to rise by over 30 per cent. That means the demand for our service dogs will far surpass our current capacity. Without increased support, we won’t be able to keep up. Together, we can ensure that no family is left waiting for the life-changing impact of a service dog.”

As part of its sponsorship, Park2Travel is donating €1 from every parking booking made in May at the newly opened 6000+ space car park, located just 1.9km or 6 minutes, from Dublin airport.