I have been fortunate to meet some amazing people in my life. I find the most inspirational are those who either live with an ongoing condition, disability or have overcome it. Or those who generously give their spare time to help others.
Nicola Cornick is not only a successful author but also a Guide Dog Puppy Walker. I asked Nicola about how she became involved in the charity and her love of dogs.
You do work for the Guide Dogs for the Blind. Could you explain how you became involved with this charity?
Years and years ago when he was a child, my husband saw an item on Blue Peter about guide dogs and from that moment he wanted to become a puppy walker. We sponsored a guide dog a number of years ago but of course walking and training a puppy is a big time commitment and so for a long time we couldn’t do it. Finally, when we were both working in flexible jobs, we signed up. It is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable things I’ve ever done; we were so proud when our most recent puppy, Rochester, qualified as a working dog last month! I think the dogs are amazing in what they can do and it is extraordinary to look at pictures of the tiny little dog that comes to you at 6 weeks old and then see them fully trained and changing people’s lives.
A puppy is not just for Christmas – but a guide dog puppy can be sponsored as a Christmas gift at http://www.guidedogs.org.uk
valerie holmes, author 