Rosemary, who works within the Primary Authority Scheme team at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, is doing a tandem skydive on 1 April.
Since birth, she has been visually impaired and wants to raise vital funds to support guide dogs after her own dog completely changed her life.
Rosemary said:
“Una came to me in 2015 to be my guide dog. She was so well-behaved, and I could tell she was proud of her job and enjoyed most of our adventures together. She was my ‘mini guider’ next me at Guides, my best friend at university and confidence builder anywhere I went.
“She unfortunately needed to retire due to medical withdrawal but is now enjoying the best retirement with my parents.”
As a way of paying back Una for all her help, Rosemary is raising money for Guide Dogs UK who help train and support guide dogs for people of all ages with sight loss.
Rosemary added:
“I was born with a rare eye condition that has got worse throughout my life. My parents always encouraged me to be independent and try everything. I am proud of everything I have tried even if I have failed. In my adult life I have become increasingly brave and believe my ex-guide dog Una helped with that.”
Rosemary has already raised more than £750 for her charity and she will be joined by four friends on the skydive.
Rosemary continued:
“Jumping out of the plane will be a huge challenge, but I know it will be worth it for all the money raised and to be able to give something back to a charity that means so much to me.”
The ability to get around is vital in order to live a full life yet thousands of people with sight loss never leave home alone. Guide Dogs UK empower visually impaired people to do that and rely on the support of the public to fund the guide dog service.
Rosemary previously raised more than £5,000 for Guide Dogs UK and was given the opportunity to name a golden Labrador puppy at Winchester Fire Station.
Between September 2020 and July 2021, Rosemary completed 211 talks over Zoom to Girl Guiding groups around the world. She also sold cloth patches to raise money for the charity, selling over 2000.
With help from Guide Dog Facebook followers, Rosemary decided to name the puppy Baden, after Lord Baden Powell, the founder of Scouts and who helped set up the Girl Guides.
If you would like to support Rosemary in raising funds for Guide Dogs UK visit her JustGiving page and make a donation
