Why Guide Dogs count - by Charlotte Fenech

Donald Harvey and Teddy

My Grandpa unfortunately passed away earlier this year, but his bravery will surely live on in the hearts and memories of his dearly loved family and friends.

Grandpa always had poor eyesight, indeed he had to start wearing glasses at the age of just 18 months! Many hours were spent by the family of young Grandpa hunting for his glasses which often became lost. They were once found hanging from a bush in a field behind their home where he used to play!

Grandpa was very keen on sport and excelled at running and swimming. After finishing school he went on to train for dentistry at Guy's where his sense of humour involved plenty of pranks! During the Normandy landings of the 2nd world war he ran a mobile dental vehicle following the advancing forces through to Germany.

Grandpa married our grandmother ( Gra-Gra ) during the war and went on to be loving parents to 5 children and wonderful grandparents to 10 grandchildren.

He had a great love of music, reading and poetry. He was a keen member of The Lions Club ( the first ever Lion at his club to be the President twice ). Ironically, he also ran the 'Talking Newspaper' for the blind at K.A.B. ( Kent Association for the Blind ) for the Lions. His church life also meant a great deal to him.

Much later he himself went blind and was given much help from the K.A.B.!! What goes around comes around eh? He was later elected to the Management Committee where he brought experience, commonsense and humour to the meetings.

Grandpa went blind due to a condition called Macular Disease. A very frustrating condition with no cure, whereby blindness is inevitable. He became a member of the Macular Society and supported various charities for the blind. He had a particular concern for blind children.

Grandpa always loved dogs and there was always one in the house! On losing his sight he started to think about the possibility of having a guide dog, fully supported by Gra-Gra. He applied and was accepted. At the age of 82 he did find the training rather a struggle, but Grandpa being Grandpa, he battled on and managed to finish the course. He then became the proud owner of the gorgeous Teddy, a lovely white sandy coloured Labrador.

A short time after receiving Teddy Gra-Gra unfortunately passed away. Teddy enabled Gramps to stay in his own home alone where he bravely carried on. With Teddy by his side Grandpa carried on regardless, he would go to the shops, catch a bus into town and go all around Maidstone. Go to church, walk down to my Mother's house for his evening meal! He even caught the train into London, got around on the tube and onto another train to Wales! An 85 year old blind man and his dog!They were truly amazing together.

If it wasn't for Teddy I really believe that Grandpa would have given up a long time ago. He adored Teddy and Teddy adored Grandpa! He would have to brush him every day and hair would be everywhere, but Gramps would say "I don't care, I can't see it!".

They would go and help raise money for guide dogs by 'tin rattling' as Grandpa put it. He always used to make the most money as he was so funny and cute, with his white hair and lovely Teddy by his side - who could resist?!

Also thanks to Guide Dogs Grandpa made a very good friend called Sheila, who had done her training and received her dog Chrissie at the same time as Gramps. Of course they could understand the pitfalls and drawbacks of being blind.

Grandpa passed away in April, much to the sorrow of all those whose lives he touched. However he does live on in our hearts and spirits.

Grandpa would be thrilled to pieces that my cousin Emma's better half ( only joking Em ), Russell Snowden, is to be tackling the arduous journey of Land's End to John O'Groats by bicycle in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Gramps and Gra-Gra would be so pleased. Hopefully Grandpa's struggle and bravery will be remembered through this fund raising event.

Grandpa would be especially pleased knowing that others will benefit from his own blindness in the future.

Long live Guide Dogs for the Blind!!!