Our annual People Awards celebrate our incredible volunteers, service users and staff, shining a light on their huge contribution and outstanding achievements.
This year, the winners were announced on 8 November at a glittering awards ceremony at our North West Regional Centre in Atherton, Manchester, hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay.
We’re delighted to introduce a new category for 2023, the Hero Dog Award. This is for any of our dogs - guide dog, buddy dog or guide dog mum or dad - who has gone above and beyond, or is just an everyday hero who deserves recognition for everything they do.
Service User awards winners
• Outstanding Person of the Year - Scott Bailey, guide dog owner, Liverpool
• Guide Dog Partnership of the Year – Anica Zeyen and Lassie, Reading
• Inspirational Young Person of the Year – Mason Davies
• Hero Dog Award – Stormzy, buddy dog to Josselin
Volunteer awards winners
• Person-Centred – Marilyn Fisher, Volunteer Voices representative, Speaker, Fundraising group Coordinator, Collection Box Coordinator and Merchandise Coordinator, South East
• Expert – Lisa Allison, Puppy Raiser, Speaker and Fundraiser, North West
• Optimistic – Yvonne Smith, Puppy Raiser and Puppy Fosterer, Midlands
• Partner – Sevenoaks Fundraising Group, South East
• Lead by Example – Catherine Pitney, Fundraising Group Coordinator, Collection Box Coordinator, Merchandise Coordinator and Fundraiser, South West
• Engage – Lynda Browett, My Sighted Guide, South West
• Community My Sighted Guiding Award - Bryan White, South East
• Chairman’s Innovation Award – Terry Quinn, Speaker and Fundraiser, North East.
• The Princess Alexandra Award for Lifetime Achievement – Janet and Clive Evans, Brood and Stud dog Fosterers, Midlands
Staff awards winners
• Person-Centred – Anna Standing, CAS Operations Manager, Midlands and East
• Expert – Pete Lock, National Habilitation Lead, Belfast
• Optimistic – Janine Dixon, Head of Breeding Operations, National Centre
• Partner – Guide Dogs’ Events Team
• Lead by Example – Tony Benham, CAS Operations Manager, North East
• Engage – Anne Rowse, Community Fundraising Relationship Manager, Edinburgh
• Chairman’s Innovation Award – Lisa Knight (Head of Community Fundraising) and team, with credit for volunteer Rob Armstrong
• The Princess Alexandra Award for Lifetime Achievement – Peter Smith, Guide Dog Mobility Specialist, Scotland & Northern Ireland
Congratulations to all the winners and all those nominated!
