Our employees are supporting Guide Dogs Scotland over the next few months taking part in various fundraising events in the hope of raising over £10,000 for the charity.

Guide Dogs Scotland provide mobility and freedom to blind and partially sighted people. They also campaign for the rights of people with visual impairment, educate the public about eye care and fund eye disease research.

Lothian Buses already support the charity by providing trainee guide dog puppies and their walkers free bus travel as part of their training programme. This gives the puppies the chance to familiarise themselves with the sounds and situations that may occur on a bus, so their owners can be confident to travel on public transport.

Staff will be taking part in and hosting various events over the next few months to raise funds including Tough Mudder, Tour De Forth, a John O’Groats to Lands End cycle, a sportmans dinner, a charity football match and a special 2017 calendar!

Nikki Neesam, community fundraiser Guide Dogs Scotland said:

We’re delighted with the support we are receiving from Lothian Buses and have been really impressed with the way Lothian Buses staff are responding to our cause with great enthusiasm. The funds they raise will help make a massive difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people.

There are around 530 guide dog owners in Scotland and each guide dog costs around £50,000 to train and support throughout its working life. We don’t receive government funding for this service, which is supported entirely by public generosity, and the backing of businesses like Lothian Buses.

We’d like to wish good luck to Lothian Buses in all the events they are taking part in for us and many thanks again for your outstanding support, and helping to make life-changing differences to the lives of blind and partially sighted people in Scotland.