Avanti West Coast has entered a partnership with the Guide Dogs charity to highlight its work in supporting people with sight loss.

Guide Dogs fundraising groups have recently visited Avanti West Coast stations at Coventry, London Euston, Preston, and Rugby, as well as its offices in London and Birmingham to help give staff an insight into how the charity helps people living with sight loss to live an active and independent life.

During their visits, the charity’s volunteers accompanied by ambassador dogs, talked to Avanti West Coast colleagues about the important role played by the dogs.

The volunteers also highlighted the charity’s work of the charity and the range of services that Guide Dogs provide.

Guide Dogs volunteers explained how the charity could be helped through the donation of time or by fundraising.

Individuals who are being supported by Guide Dogs were also available to explain more about their daily life in coping with the list of sight.

The Guide Dogs visits were organised as part of Avanti West Coast’s annual Sustainability Week. That is a week-long company initiative, where it organises a range of activities to showcase its efforts to support its ten-year sustainability strategy, known as its “Responsible Plan”.

The plan has four main pillars, one of which is how Avanti West Coast endeavours to ensure everyone can experience independent journeys.

By establishing this partnership with the Guide Dogs, Avanti West Coast has extended its efforts to increase awareness and understanding of accessibility amongst staff and customers.

It is also a timely event as Avanti West Coast is soon to join other rail industry partners across the when it exhibits at Naidex, which is Britain’s leading event dedicated to empowering and supporting disabled individuals.

Avanti West Coast has links with other charities, including the Railway Benefit Fund and various community groups across its network.

We would like to thank Avanti West Coast for the opportunity to visit their stations during Sustainability Week to help raise awareness and vital funds for Guide Dogs.

It has been brilliant meeting their staff and customers to share more about our life-changing work, which we couldn’t do without our amazing staff and volunteers. It’s with everyone’s help we’re able to reach and support more people living with sight loss live the life they choose.

Julie Wood, Regional Community Fundraising Manager at Guide Dogs

We loved welcoming Guide Dogs to our stations to highlight their work to support people living with sight loss and raise vital funds.

It was great to learn about the life-changing guide dogs and how we can provide the best support for those who may need extra assistance when making rail journeys, as we want to enable independent travel for all.

Theresa Roberts, Social Value and Accessibility Manager at Avanti West Coast