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Donegal men meet Roy Keane for
Guide Dog Day
27.04.15
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TWO Donegal guide dog
owners got the opportunity to meet Republic of
Ireland star Roy Keane ahead of the inaugural Guide
Dog Day on May 1. |
Killea's Laurence
McDermott with his dog Scamp and Clonmany's Kevin
Kelly and his trusty canine Miles caught up with the
Republic of Ireland assistant manager who is patron
of Irish Guide Dogs and a life-long dog owner
himself.
They and other guide dog clients from around the
country were at the launch the charity's new
national campaign, Guide Dog Day, which takes place
on May 1.
“Growing up in Cork we always had dogs and then when
I went to England with the pressure of matches, I
always found spending time with my dogs a great way
of relaxing," Keane told the launch event.
"I have two dogs at the moment, a German Shepherd
and a Labrador and they are a massive part of my
family. I’d be lost without them they are a massive
part of our lives.”
The local men told the soccer star about the huge
difference their guide dogs had made in their daily
lives. |
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Kevin Kelly from Clonmany and his
guide dog Miles meet Roy Keane ahead of the
inaugural Guide Dog Day on May 1. |
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Laurence who lost his
sight after an assault 18 years ago was reluctant to
get a guide dog but now says it's the best decision
he ever made. “I did not have a life before getting
a guide dog. Life is incredible now with Scamp," he
said.
Kevin, who works as a parliamentary assistant to
Independent Senator Mary Ann O'Brien, lost his sight
to a rare genetic retinal disorder in 2001 at the
age of 14.
He received Miles from Irish Guide Dogs seven years
later. He says Miles has helped him live a full life
in Dublin, first as a student and now as a busy
employee. Kevin, who loved soccer before losing his
sight, is also now a member of the Blind Football
Ireland squad.
“When friends see us play they are amazed at our
pace and high level of skill," he said.
To support Guide Dog Day and text WOOF to 50300 to
donate €4. You can also buy a badge at street
collections on May 1 in Donegal Town and Letterkenny. |
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Laurence McDermott from Killea and
his guide dog Scamp meet Roy Keane at the launch of
Guide Dog Day to be held on May 1. |
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