THE charity Guide Dogs is appealing for people who live in Ely and the surrounding villages to volunteer with a newly formed group.

The charity will hold an event to officially launch the group at Ely Library next Thursday between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

The group will raise funds and awareness to enable people who are blind or partially sighted to get out and about on their own terms.

A co-ordinator and treasurer for the group will be appointed at the event so if you have experience handling money or organising a group, get in touch with the charity.

Guide Dogs are also searching for new volunteers, who live in the area, to train and socialise guide dog puppies - a volunteering role known as puppy walking.

Volunteers provide the full-time care and education of a puppy from seven weeks until they are 14 months old when the puppies are then returned to Guide Dogs to begin their formal guide dog training.

To become a puppy walker, volunteers will need to be home the majority of the day or be able to take the puppy to a suitable work environment. Guide Dogs supplies basic equipment and cover all veterinary and feeding expenses.

Michelle from Mepal, who is currently ‘puppy walking’ her third pup Korky, said: “Volunteering for Guide Dogs is incredibly rewarding. It’s great to be part of the Guide Dogs team; whether it’s volunteers, staff or people who support the charity by sponsoring a puppy. It’s amazing that looking after a puppy has meant people’s lives have changed for the better.”

INFORMATION: Call 0845 371 7771 or email volunteer@guidedogs.org.uk. Visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/supportus/volunteering