Helping Guide Dog Services in their fantastic work
Proceeds from the Every Dog Has its Day online auction which concluded last month, helped Bayleys reach its initial target of funding the breeding and training of 100 puppies for the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind’s (RNZFB) Guide Dog Services.
Bayleys North Shore’s three offices got right behind the auction initiative securing around 100 of more than 950 items offered from throughout the Bayleys network.
Bayleys managing director Mike Bayley says the auction delivered a great result for Guide Dog Services.
“It takes tens of thousands of dollars to breed and train a guide dog which is why Bayleys is so committed to raising money,” said Mr Bayley.
Among the high profile North Shore office auction items which secured bidding from generous New Zealanders were a soccer ball signed by Rod Stewart which sold for $506 and a signed Warriors jersey which fetched $405. Other success stories from the auction were a date with All Black skipper Richie McCaw which sold for $551, a tour of Guide Dog Services with Kiwi supermodel Rachel Hunter which made $715 and a night at the exclusive Eagle’s Nest lodge in the Bay of Islands which reached $3600.
Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind chief executive Sandra Budd said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the longstanding partnership we have with Bayleys. Their support and dedication to RNZFB guide dogs is phenomenal.”
“However, with more than 240 active guide dog teams and 40 blind and partially sighted members waiting to be matched with a guide dog, our need to breed and train puppies is greater than ever - especially in Canterbury where many of our guide dogs will need retraining. “So, we are delighted that Bayleys is continuing to support us,” continued Ms Budd.
The team from Bayleys North Shore also took part in the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind’s (RNZFB) Red Puppy Appeal by helping with the street collection in early April. Final figures for the collection are not yet in but the money raised will go towards helping more than 1200 blind and partially-sighted members of the RNZFB in the earthquake-affected Canterbury region.
