New volunteers are desperately needed to help support Bradford Guide Dogs fundraising branch.

Helpers who can give up some of their free time to bring in funds and organise collection boxes are wanted to keep up the charity’s work in the district.

Rebekah Shepherd, of Guide Dogs, said: “The roles are flexible and offer local people the opportunity to make new friends, develop new skills, learn about Guide Dogs’ work and meet some of the amazing dogs the charity trains. “Volunteer fundraisers and helpers can get involved in all sorts of ways, from helping with collections on flag days to looking after stalls at events – there’s no big commitment and volunteers can help out as and when it suits them.”

Collection box co-ordinators are asked to find homes for the charity’s counter-top collection boxes, distribute them and empty them every two to three months, depositing the donated money.

Miss Shepherd said: “Volunteering is hugely rewarding. Not only do you know you are helping make a positive difference to the lives of visually-impaired people, it is a great way to get involved with and meet others in your local community.

“Whatever time you can spare to help would be greatly appreciated, be it one hour a month or one day a week. You don’t need any previous experience to volunteer with us – just a willingness to help out and get involved with your community.”

The guide dogs service is entirely funded by voluntary donations and needs support to maximise its services for blind and partially-sighted people.

There are about 4,500 guide dogs in the UK but it is not just guide dogs that the charity provides, they also supply other mobility services such as white cane training.

To find out more about helping, call the Guide Dogs Volunteering Team on 0845 3717771 or e-mail volunteer@ guidedogs.org.uk.