People's Postcode Lottery
Together with the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, we're helping people with sight loss lead active and independent lives. Since 2018, players have been helping us to transform lives through numerous projects and core services, such as supporting the first stage of our guide dog puppies' lives; supporting the puppy raising stage of our puppies' lives; funding the lifetime of a litter of guide dog puppies; supporting the re-development of our regional centres; funding our buddy dogs service and much more.
Players support our amazing Guide Dog Mobility Specialists
Previously, players of People’s Postcode Lottery helped fund our puppies from birth, through completion of the Puppy Raising stage. By the end of this time, our puppies are socialised and prepared to step into formal guide dog training.
Thanks to their amazing support, players are now funding the next stage of our dogs’ development: formal training to become guide dogs, through our Guide Dogs Academy!
Through The Academy, we recruit and train Guide Dog Mobility Specialists (GDMS) all over the UK and it’s their job to train our dogs to become guide dogs, over a period of around 10 months. After their guide dog training is complete, our GDMSs match the dogs into their new partnership, to a person with sight loss.
In 2024, players and the Postcode Animal Trust fully funded all 57 GDMSs in the Academy. What’s more, between April 2024 – March 2025, our amazing GDMSs trained 76 human and guide dog partnerships, thanks to players. We can’t wait to introduce you to some of the team whose work players helped support, later in the year!
Top of the Pups - Labrador Callie on track to become a life changing guide dog
Abbie, who has a vision impairment, takes great pride in her parents, Lesley and Andrew, who have dedicated themselves to raising puppies for Guide Dogs. Players support has funded the provision of 117 litters of pups for the charity.
Following Abbie's diagnosis of Stargardt disease, which affects her central vision, her parents volunteered as Puppy Raisers, providing loving homes for five puppies from eight weeks to 16 months old.
Currently, they are caring for Callie, a black Labrador, and guiding her through training and socialisation to prepare her for formal guide dog training. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the couple remains committed to their role, understanding its importance in helping visually impaired individuals maintain their independence.
Lesley and Andrew emphasise the rewarding nature of their work, taking the puppies into various environments to develop their social skills. While saying goodbye to the dogs they raise is difficult, they find comfort in knowing that these pups will go on to lead fulfilling lives as guide dogs for those in need.
We rely on volunteers like Lesley and Andrew to provide essential care during their formative year. With a growing need for guide dogs, the couple is eager to continue their mission, driven by the impact their efforts have on the visually impaired community.
Players support the first stage of our puppies' journey
Players of People's Postcode Lottery have helped to fund the first stage of our puppies' lives - from 0-8 weeks old.
Puppies - from birth to eight weeks
Players helped to support the first stage of our guide dogs' journey. It included the care of our very special guide dog mums and their puppies from birth to eight weeks old.
Players support the lifetime of a litter of guide dog puppies
The amazing support from players is funding the lifetime of an entire litter of nine life-changing guide dog puppies. From breeding and expert training, supporting volunteers who care for and foster our puppies, through to life as an extraordinary guide dog. Players' support also ensures our dogs have a great life in retirement after years of providing independence and mobility to people with sight loss.
Each guide dog provides around eight years of support to their owner. By funding these nine puppies, players will enable around 72 years of mobility, helping people to live the lives they choose. Beyond mobility, our guide dogs also provide companionship, help combat loneliness and isolation, and enable people to become an active part of their community. Read how some of the puppies, who are now fully grown dogs are getting on.
Reggie finds his winning home
Mabel brings the gift of independence to Fraser
Dora helps Alice to break down barriers
Danyl Johnson meets two guide dog owners and a buddy dog family
Other ways players are supporting our life-changing work
Thank you players!
Players' support is crucial now more than ever to meet the growing demand for our guide dogs and other services. We would like to thank all players for helping people with sight loss - enabling them to lead active and independent lives. Recent funding is awarded by Postcode Animal Trust, which People's Postcode Lottery manages lotteries for.
Fiona Wolstenholme, Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships, said: “Players’ support is amazing and together we will be there for people with sight loss giving practical, emotional and life-changing support. We have a unique and fantastic relationship with players who have raised more than 8.9 million for Guide Dogs since 2018.”
Get in touch with our corporate partnerships team