NEWS Shopper is urging readers to help change the life of a blind person.

A guide dog can transform the life of someone who has lost their sight by giving them back the confidence and freedom they have lost.

Mike was devastated as his vision deteriorated but thanks to charity Guide Dogs UK he is becoming more and more independent.

He said: "In November 2011 I noticed the sight in my left eye was getting worse and then one day I woke up and it was completely blank.

"I rang up the hospital to see if I could see someone and they said I’d have to wait until January to see a specialist.

"When I saw a neurologist. He said it was actually my brain not picking up the signals rather than a problem with my eyes."

Mike was terrified about what the future would hold for his family.

He said: "I knew I’d never see my wife or daughter again - on birthdays or at Christmas.
"I didn’t know what to do. I just sat there."

Mike enrolled in the My Guide service from Guide Dogs where a trained volunteer, Bob, helped him practice routes in public.

He said "The smallest thing like learning to get to the shop on my own was such an achievement.

News Shopper: Give the greatest gift this Christmas: Learn about Guide Dogs

"I’ve never experienced such a change in confidence.

"Thanks to Bob, I went from feeling really low to feeling like I was king of the world."

Mike is now desperate to get his own guide dog and told News Shopper: "What I’m wanting to do, when my daughter Faye is a bit older, is actually walk with her to school, without anybody else being there.

"Christmas for me is all about family and I think a guide dog obviously would become part of the family as well.

"Supporting Guide Dogs would really make next Christmas the best ever, to help me have a guide dog so please, if you can help please help as much as you can."

Help people like Mike get their lives back through donating to Guide Dogs UK.

How to donate

Text FIRSTXMAS to 70020 or visit guidedogs.org.uk/firstchristmas to donate £3.

Cheques should be made payable to "Guide Dogs" and sent to News Shopper, Mega House, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood BR5 1BT.

You will be charged £3 plus one message at your standard network rate.

The appeal will receive 99-100 per cent of your donation depending upon your provider. By using this service, you agree Guide Dogs UK may call you in the future.

If you would rather we did not, please text NOTHANKS to 83310, UK mobiles only.

Registered charity nos. 209617 (England and Wales) and SC038979 (Scotland).

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