THOMAS THE BAKER TO MEET LIVELY PUPPY ‘THOMAS’ AFTER RAISING DOUGH FOR GUIDE DOG CHARITY

DATE: Tuesday 25th September
TIME: 11.30am
LOCATION: Thomas the Baker, Helmsley Bakery, The Bakers Yard, Sawmill Lane, Helmsley, YO62 5DQ

Staff at Thomas the Baker, Helmsley will be taking a break from the bustling bakery on Tuesday morning to meet ‘trainee’ guide dog puppy, Thomas ““ named after the popular North Yorkshire bakery in honour of its sterling fundraising efforts for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

Nine-month old Labrador, Thomas is currently training with his volunteer puppy walker to equip him with the necessary complex skills to provide freedom and movement to the blind and partially sighted. Costing over £5,000 to breed and puppy walk each guide dog, the charity receives no government funding and depends entirely on public support.

Staff at Thomas the Baker selected Guide Dogs for the Blind Association as the charity to support last year, raising over £7,500 through initiatives such as collection boxes in its 34 branches, family fun days, sponsored walks and supplier donations.

Managing Director of Thomas the Baker, John Thomas said: “The charity provides such a valuable service and I feel honoured that we’ve been able to contribute to this. What a great honour to have a guide dog puppy named after us and to be able to see its progress!”

Thomas the Baker’s 2012 charity of the year is Macmillan Nurses.