SIR – In light of the current economical climate, I wish to applaud the work of our dedicated volunteers who have valiantly continued to give up their time to support The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

Whether volunteering as a puppy walker, boarder, fundraiser or fulfilling another vital key role, Guide Dogs’ volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year.

Because Guide Dogs relies almost entirely on voluntary contributions to fund its services, every penny collected and every event that encourage members of the public to make a donation helps make a life-changing difference to blind and partially sighted people.

There are around 4,500 guide dog partnerships in the UK and it costs around £10 a day to breed, train and support each guide dog partnership.

Our commitment is to every guide dog for life, which is why the lifetime cost of each dog is around £35,000 (including all breeding and training costs, vet and feeding bills).

Together with our on-going programme to breed and train the next generation of puppies, it’s essential that we continue to receive generous public support.

To find out how to become a Guide Dogs volunteer, please visit guidedogs.org.uk, email volunteer@guidedogs.org.uk or telephone 0845 3717771.

Lisa Knight, regional fundraising manager (North of England and North Wales), The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association