Bradford's guide dog users are being encouraged to help raise money for the charity that provides them with their 'eyes'.

The Bradford fundraising branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind is hoping the 29 blind people in Bradford who use guide dogs will help the charity raise the money to fund the dogs and their training.

Peter Bruce, chairman of the Bradford branch, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, said currently only three volunteered with the charity. He said: "We would like others to get involved and put their names on a rota to help out at events organised by the charity."

The Bradford branch runs with 12 volunteers and is always looking for people to join the team.

Catherine Idle, a volunteer fundraiser, said: "We want guide dog users to participate in fundraising as well as full-sighted people.

"We hope they will attend fundraising events with their dogs to demonstrate just how important the work of the charity is to those people who rely on the service it provides."

She said volunteers were also needed to become puppy-walkers - people who help prepare puppies for their future role.

Mrs Idle said: "People can contribute to the charity in so many ways."

The national charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind, celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. It is run entirely on donations and receives no Government funding.

"If you are a deaf person you automatically receive a hearing aid but if you are registered blind you have no entitlement to a guide dog," said Mrs Idle.

It costs £35,000 to breed, train and support each guide dog.

"The typical working life of a dog is seven years so a person could feasibly need six or seven guide dogs in their lifetime," said Mrs Idle, who has worked as a volunteer for the charity for two years.

The newly-opened Starbucks coffee house in Centenary Square, Bradford, has pledged to raise money for the charity to fund a new guide dog and its first year of training. It hopes to raise £5,000 through a series of events.

Collection boxes have also been placed in Starbucks' other Bradford cafe, above Waterstones bookshop in the Wool Exchange.

Benita Opaczyk, manager at Starbucks in Centenary Square, said: "Starbucks has already funded one guide dog so we are delighted to continue our fundraising drive in Bradford. Hopefully we will be able to provide another puppy."

Anyone who is interested in volunteering opportunities can call the fundraising team on (0113) 2844 205, visit the website at www.guidedogs.org.uk or go to the next committee meeting of the Bradford branch on Tuesday, April 4, at Morley Street Resource Centre, 124 Morley Street, Great Horton, from 8pm.