A BEAUTIFUL golden Retriever called Courtney was attracting lots of attention at Saturday’s Farmers’ Market in Crediton.

Courtney is the guide dog for Vicky Heil from Meshaw who has set up the Crediton and District Guide Dogs for the Blind Association UK Group.

Vicky has been visually impaired for five years, she has had Courtney for all that time. She is co-ordinator for the group which covers the EX17, 18 and 19 areas.

With Vicky and Courtney were her mum, Bridget and father, Lorenz plus Barny the five-months-old black Labrador puppy they are walking for GDBAUK.

Barny is the first potential guide dog they have walked. They will have him until he is old enough to “go to the big school” to see if he has the potential to be a guide dog.

“We wanted to do the puppy walking to give something back to the Association,” said Bridget.

They intend to be at the Christmas market at Crediton and will be appearing at other events and markets around the area.

At Crediton they were selling a host of items for the GDBA including badges, cards, tea towels, and prints of animal portraits by artist Beth Pedlar from North Devon who describes herself as a relief milker, horse enthusiast and artist.

Vicky is looking for volunteers to help with fundraising. To know more either contact her through email: [email protected]">[email protected] or telephone 01769 550 716 or check the website: http://www.guidedogs.org.uk"; TARGET="_blank">www.guidedogs.org.uk .

GDBA was founded in 1934. It provides help to thousands of blind and partially-sighted people across the UK through guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services.

It also campaigns for the rights of those with visual impairments and invests in eye disease research.

Guide Dogs’ head office is near Reading in Berkshire. There are four Guide Dog Training Schools - Redbridge, Leamington, Atherton and Forfar, as well as a National Breeding Centre near Leamington, plus 20 Mobility Teams and many fundraising branches across the country such as this new local one.

Sue Read