Marie’s puppy pledge

Marie and her new guide dog Bertie.

A guide dog owner from Shaw is hoping to raise £5,000 in memory of the animal that helped to turn her life around.

After losing her sight when she was six, Marie Howarth (31) was dependent on others to guide her and barely left her house.

But almost a decade ago she got a guide dog to help her become more independent - and was paired with yellow labrador-cross retriever Bailey.

She said: “I fell in love and knew he would change my life - but little did I know how much. Not only did he give me the independence many take for granted, he gave me the confidence to become the person I am today.”

Bailey died at the start of the year, and in honour of his memory Marie has pledged to raise £5,000 to name a new Bailey.

“If someone else can have a life-changing Bailey like I did, it seems the best thank-you gift I can give back to the organisation who, with these incredible dogs, changed my life for the better.”

Marie now has a new guide dog, two-year-old Bertie, who has improved her life even more.

Marie said: “Bertie has been fantastic. He has built my confidence even higher.”

Anyone who would like to support Marie’s fund-raising should visit www.justgiving.com/marie-howarth2 to donate.