SAUNDERSFOOT has taken delivery of a golden gift to mark the 50th anniversary of Guide Dogs Pembrokeshire.

Volunteers gathered at Saundersfoot harbour on Tuesday for the unveiling of a unique gold-coloured dog-shaped collecting box.

Volunteers from Guide Dogs Pembrokeshire at the unveiling of the gold-coloured collecting box
Volunteers from Guide Dogs Pembrokeshire at the unveiling of the gold-coloured collecting box (Guide Dogs Pembrokeshire)

The box is located outside Salt on the Strand, whose owners make sure it is safely stored away at night and put out again each morning.

Eva Rich, a founder member of Guide Dogs Pembrokeshire, said: “The box is popular with children and families, and very much a part of the village.”

Eva Rich with the gold-coloured collecting box for Guide Dogs Pembrokeshire
Eva Rich with the gold-coloured collecting box for Guide Dogs Pembrokeshire (Guide Dogs Pembrokeshire)

The dog-shaped box is only a part of Guide Dogs Pembrokeshire’s fundraising story. The group holds a regular twice-weekly stall at the harbour during the summer, coffee mornings and bucket collections. With Eva at the helm, the group has raised £880,000 since it was established in 1975 and is aiming for the million pound milestone.

“We began as the Tenby and District branch of Guide Dogs but now we have grown to cover the whole county,” Eva said. “We welcome new volunteers and have a good mix of ages. The youngest guide dog owner in the county is just 18.”

The group held a celebratory lunch at the Harbwr Bar, with many of the county’s guide dog owners in attendance. Members are now looking forward to the New Year’s Day Swim, which will see several participants braving the waves for Guide Dogs. They include group members Lynn Knibbs and Rachel Smith, plus supporters from dog-friendly pub Hean Castle.

Guests await their 50th anniversary lunch
Guests await their 50th anniversary lunch (Guide Dogs Pembrokeshire)

Eva said: "We’ll be there to cheer the swimmers on. Being a volunteer for Guide Dogs is wonderful - you meet so many interesting people and make good friends. The guide dogs I have been partnered with have changed my life, so I think it’s important to give something back to Guide Dogs.”

Pictured at the Guide Dogs Pembrokeshire 50th anniversary lunch at the Harbwr Bar are (l-r) Annette Peter, Adge John, John Woolsgrove, Sue Canham, Karol Milton and Malika Rankin with guide dogs Beulah, Skip, Eddy, Henry, Gemini and Zoe.
Pictured at the Guide Dogs Pembrokeshire 50th anniversary lunch at the Harbwr Bar are (l-r) Annette Peter, Adge John, John Woolsgrove, Sue Canham, Karol Milton and Malika Rankin with guide dogs Beulah, Skip, Eddy, Henry, Gemini and Zoe. (Guide Dogs Pembrokeshire)