Turn On Your Ovens And Get Baking To Help Guide Dogs

11 March 2013
News Release
Turn On Your Ovens And Get Baking To Help Guide Dogs

Calling all eager bakers to support Red Puppy Bikkie Day

Kiwi bakers are being urged to whip up a batch of puppy-shaped bikkies to sell to friends, family and workmates to raise money for guide dogs.

If you love to bake or eat biscuits, Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind’s Red Puppy Bikkie Day on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 April is the yummiest way to support its annual Red Puppy Appeal.

This appeal collects money for the breeding and training of guide dogs throughout New Zealand and RNZFB is eager to make the day even bigger and better in 2013 – the third year Red Puppy Bikkie Day has run.

Already more than 200 individuals and organisations have signed up, from businesses to schools and daycares, but RNZFB needs far more people to get involved in order to make the appeal successful.

Sandra Budd, RNZFB Chief Executive, says an astounding amount of time, effort and money goes into training each guide dog puppy.

“Before our guide dogs are ready to act as the eyes of people who are blind or have low vision, we train them for approximately two years and then teach them skills specific to the person who will have the guide dog.

“This can be anything from how to negotiate obstacles like road works through to being comfortable on trains and buses,” she says.

RNZFB receives no government funding for Guide Dog Services so support of the Red Puppy Bikkie Day makes a real difference to people who are blind or have low vision. A guide dog gives users independence, confidence and companionship.

Bronwyn Glass of Botany Downs Kindergarten leapt at the chance to be involved with Bikkie Day again this year.

“The children of Botany Downs Kindergarten supported The Red Puppy Appeal by baking dog biscuits, building a shop, writing the signage, preparing the wares for sale, organising the money for change and practising their retail skills, as well as developing their literacy and maths for a very worthy cause. They had a ball and are looking forward to doing it again this year,” she says.

Anyone keen to participate can register at redpuppy.org.nz where they will also find all the information required for running a successful Red Puppy Bikkie Day event, including recipes, posters, tips, FAQs and a colouring competition.

Puppy-shaped cookie cutters can be purchased for $5 at all Bayleys Real Estate offices and Animates stores (visit www.redpuppy.org.nz for location details).

Red Puppy Appeal 2013 will run from Friday 5 to Saturday 6 April.

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Notes to Editors about RNZFB and Guide Dog Services:

• The RNZFB is New Zealand’s main provider of sight loss services to people who are blind or have low vision.

• The RNZFB equips its members with the adaptive skills, technology and resources they need to overcome the barriers they face to participating fully in society and leading independent lives.
• Every day an average of three New Zealanders register with the RNZFB for support with sight loss.

• RNZFB guide dogs are taught to guide people around hazards, negotiate traffic, locate common destinations and travel on public transport. RNZFB puppies are identified by their bright red coats and the average working life of a RNZFB guide dog is eight to 10 years.

• The RNZFB receives no government funding for Guide Dog Services so your support of the Red Puppy Appeal will help Kiwis who are blind or have low vision live a full and independent life.

Photo Caption - Maxton Poole, Helena Wright and Hannah Carragher.jpg

ENDS

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