As Pride London was among the many events throughout the country to be cancelled due to Covid-19, Guide Dogs is celebrating with a Pride Dogs for Guide Dogs category in their
Pride Dogs for Guide Dogs is encouraging the LGBTQI community and supporters to take part by entering photos of themselves dressed in their best Pride outfit – accompanied by their dogs in their finest rainbow bandanas and accessories.
Polly Shute, Guide Dogs Trustee, said, “It’s really important to me that charities reflect the diverse society we live in, so I am delighted that we are getting involved in Pride. We hope that the LGBTQI community and supporters will enjoy this event, knowing they’re also helping to raise essential funds to enable those living with sight loss to live the life they choose.”
Celebrities and dog lovers across the country are part and sending in photos to show their support, including Paul O’Grady and Arfur, Clare Balding with Archie, and Anna Richardson and her dog Tia.
Luke Orros, a 20-year-old guide dog owner, said, “It’s such a shame that Pride can’t take place this year so I was delighted to still be able to celebrate the day by getting involved in this Guide Dogs event.
“Pride is a great opportunity to bring different parts of the community together and Pride Dogs for Guide Dogs is an amazing way to help raise awareness within the LGBTQI community and our society as a whole. My guide dog Harley has enjoyed getting involved as you can see in the photos!”
The Great Guide Dogs Virtual Dog Show is open for entries via the . Participants can submit a photo or video into one of 9 categories until 20th July – including a bloopers category for those moments when filming might not entirely go to plan!
Over the next five weeks, participants will be encouraged to get their friends and family to “like” their entries and donate. Towards the end of July, donation-based voting will take place over the semi-finals and finals, hosted on Tiltify. Best in show will be announced in the second week of August.
Images courtesy of Guide Dogs